ENVIRONMENT IS A PLAYER AT THE 2004 OLYMPIC GAMES, U.N. SAYS

13.08.2004 [14:52]
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The environment has gained increased visibility in the Olympic movement, according to a statement from the U.N. Environment Programme (UNEP) as the Athens 2004 Olympic Games prepare to open August 13 in Greece.

"The return of the Olympic Games to Athens, where they originated some 2000 years ago, has sparked renewed interest in the historic reality of the competition," said UNEP Executive Director Klaus Toepfer in an August 10 statement. "Respect for nature was a feature of ancient Greek civilization."

Underscoring the link between environmentalism and sport, Toepfer notes the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) official recognition of the environment as the third dimension of Olympism (the philosophy behind the Olympics) after sport and culture, and the IOC's emphasis on environmental issues as an important part of the Olympic bid review process.

As part of its Sport and the Environment Programme, UNEP signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Athens 2004 Olympic Organizing Committee (ATHOC) in June to implement a series of public awareness activities during the course of the August 13-29 games.

An antilittering campaign, cosigned by UNEP and ATHOC, is being broadcast on Greek television and will continue in various forms throughout the games. Brochures that highlight the link between sport and the environment will be distributed at all venues.

UNEP is also working with the Athens Environmental Foundation, a nongovernmental organization based in Greece and the United States, on awareness and education programs related to sport and the environment for this year's Summer Olympics.

ENVIRONMENT IS A PLAYER AT THE 2004 OLYMPIC GAMES, U.N. SAYS

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