The action is not just happening on the water at this weekend’s third ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup in Augsburg, Germany, with the launch of an exciting sustainability project at the venue where canoe slalom made its Olympic debut in 1972.

The Munich Olympic slalom venue is a shining example of a legacy venue, and the International Canoe Federation is hoping the new project will act as a sustainability prototype for future events.

The ICF has teamed up with the City of Augsburg, the event organising committee, local athletes and the International Academy of Sport Science and Technology (AISTS) to prepare a sustainability action sheet.

The project covers food and water, waste management, transport and social awareness.

Among the initiatives are a bike station at the venue, re-fill water bottles for all the athletes, school visits, and the preferred use of local products and producers.

“I think sustainability is the key for the development of our sport. I’m very happy that the ICF selected Augsburg as the host for this first pilot project," ICF vice-president, Thomas Konietzko, said.

"We are a sport in a natural environment. This is a common issue for all disciplines, not only for competitive disciplines but also for recreational paddlers. It’s a common objective where we can work with our whole community, and this should be only the first step.

"Now we have to work together with our stakeholders and our community to continue and to prove in our daily lives how our sport fits perfectly in the environment."

A report reflecting the experiences of the athletes, organisers and the community will be compiled following the event.

It will be included in the AISTS Sustainable Sport and Events toolkit, which was developed ahead of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and is designed to help host organising committees prepare healthy community events.

“I’m delighted that this pilot event is taking place,” ICF Marketing Manager, Catherine Wieser, said.

“It is a natural fit for us, as canoeing is an outdoor sport in harmony with nature. Because of the universality of the sport, the ICF is able to play an active part in promoting measures favouring sustainable developments.

“I would like to thank the Augsburg team for its commitments. The next step for the ICF will be to integrate the experiences from Augsburg in a Sustainable Sports and Events toolkit, which will be made available for the entire canoeing community.”

 

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