Inside the Games: World Aquatics commits to sustainability at Sport Positive conference

Sport as a vital tool to drive climate change initiatives. With three upcoming UN COP meetings focusing on biodiversity and desertification, World Aquatics decided to get involved and explore the role of sport in protecting the health of the planet.

World Aquatics continued to explore how sport can play a vital role in driving positive change for the planet through a series of meetings with key stakeholders, including athletes. Sport Singapore, Olympic swimmer and sustainability activist Naoko Imoto and Aquatics GB are also taking part.

Sport Positive highlighted the approach taken in the organisation of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. In particular, it focused on the aquatic events, which demonstrated a commitment to sustainability and legacy.

Thanks to the use of temporary pools in an existing stadium, an innovation by World Aquatics and its partner Myrtha Pools, there was no need for permanent facilities for the swimming competitions and water polo finals. Instead, the La Défense arena has already returned to its usual role as a venue for concerts and sporting events. The tanks that made up the Olympic pools are being redistributed to the Seine Saint Denis region, north of Paris. This is an area that has historically been underserved in terms of swimming facilities and has relatively low levels of swimming literacy. This means that the legacy and reuse of the facilities will allow for extended use, with the legacy being the priority.

The new permanent Olympic Aquatics Centre, also in Seine Saint Denis, is an example of sustainable construction and low-energy design. Its roof houses the largest solar farm in Europe. The centre will be the new headquarters of the French Swimming Federation (FFN). It will serve the local community and host future international competitions, including the European Swimming Championships in 2026.

For Sport Singapore, the challenge of heating water sustainably is not a problem: tap water is at a competition-ready 26 degrees Celsius. “Our energy needs are very different from colder countries. However, we are very interested in learning how other sports and music organisers are making their events more sustainable, from reducing single-use plastics to using temporary pools,” said Jonathan Lim, Senior Manager for Infrastructure Development at Sport Singapore.

Aquatics GB, meanwhile, launched its environmental sustainability strategy in April this year, with a strong focus on the planet’s aquatic ecosystems. Water quality in Britain’s rivers and coastlines has been put on the national agenda thanks to campaigning by swimmers and their representatives. Aquatics GB has also carefully considered the best ways to improve its impact, including recycling and reusing the kit provided to its teams.

World Aquatics Development Manager, Vita Balsyte, concluded, “At World Aquatics we are constantly encouraged to look for ways to improve, in the same spirit as our athletes. It is clear that the sport has collectively decided to improve its impact on the planet. We must use the massive influence of our events and activities to bring about improvements for our climate and nature”.

“It has been a privilege to have the opportunity to learn from others and to share what we have learned as World Aquatics takes important steps towards a world united by water,” concluded Balsyte.