INTERNATIONAL BODIES HAIL PARIS 2024 SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS

PARIS, July 22 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- The Paris Olympics has established new, and elevated existing, international standards in economic, social and environmental sustainability, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Sunday.

"Improving the sustainability of the Olympic Games and ensuring they create lasting, measurable benefits for local populations even before the event is among the IOC's top priorities," Xinhua quoted IOC's Director of Sustainability Marie Sallois as telling a press conference.

"Paris 2024, as the first edition of the Games aligned with our strategic road map, Olympic Agenda 2020, is setting new standards for sports events in France and beyond, and providing a pragmatic toolbox for future sports events organisers," she added.

Building on the 2018 Recommendation on Global Events and Local Development, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published guides to help event organisers monitor and evaluate the social, economic and environmental impacts of their events. Since 2021, the Paris 2024 Organising Committee has collaborated with the IOC and OECD to create key performance indicators (KPIs) for assessing the long-term impact of the Games.

The IOC now requires future Games hosts to use these OECD guidelines, ensuring consistent and reliable assessment of each edition's legacy.

"Major sporting events should leave behind more than just great memories. They can leave a strong social and environmental legacy," said Mathias Cormann, the OECD secretary-general.

"We are delighted that France and the IOC have embraced our 2018 Recommendation on Global Events and Local Development and guidance on how to do so, using the Games to create opportunities for those furthest from the labour market and pioneer low carbon construction methods."

-- BERNAMA-XINHUA