LA 2024 Announces Annual Green Medal Awards Sports Sustainability Contest
LA 2024 today announces a national annual sports sustainability contest called the LA 2024 Green Medal Awards to encourage American sports teams, leagues, universities, venue operators and other sports organizations to adopt cutting-edge sustainability practices throughout the build-up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games.The LA 2024 Green Medal Awards will be officially unveiled on Wednesday at the renowned Green Sports Alliance Summit inside the Sacramento, California, Golden 1 Center - the world’s first LEED Platinum indoor sports venue. If LA is chosen to host the Games, LA 2024 would work with industry leaders to develop the rules, process, and prizes for the LA 2024 Green Medal Awards. The Awards would be held annually during the years preceding the LA Olympic and Paralympic Games.Olympic Agenda 2020’s Recommendation 4 calls for including sustainability in all aspects of the Olympic Games, whilst Recommendation 5 concerns embracing sustainability within the Olympic Movement’s daily operations. The announcement of the Green Medal Awards demonstrates LA 2024’s commitment to delivering a truly sustainable Olympic and Paralympic Games while using the Games’ unparalleled platform to inspire long-term adoption of sustainable sports practices.LA 2024 has a comprehensive sustainability program that starts with its vision of “radical reuse” - using LA’s existing world-class venues and not building any new permanent venues. This is a unique achievement that by itself would make LA 2024 the Greenest Games in history. LA 2024 is also committed to hosting zero waste, water accountable, and energy positive Games.LA 2024’s Executive Director of Sustainability and Legacy Brence Culp said: “LA 2024 is committed to delivering a truly sustainable Olympic and Paralympic Games. With no new permanent venues to build, LA 2024 is able to focus on not only producing the Greenest Games in history, but inspiring others to follow suit. The LA 2024 Green Medal Awards will tap into the competitive spirit of sports venue operators, leagues, and teams to encourage and incentivize sustainable practices nationally and internationally.”AEG's Vice President of Energy and the Environment John Marler said: “AEG is thrilled that LA 2024 is leading the charge in promotion of sustainable sport. LA is always on the edge of ‘what’s next,’ and that includes environmental leadership. Through the Green Medal Awards, LA 2024 will energize the industry, leagues, and others to invest in innovative green solutions.”Read the full release here.