Sochi promises first green Winter Olympic Games

21 June 2007

Sochi promises first green Winter Olympic Games

The ambitious games plan of the Russian City of Sochi includes strong efforts to save the environment in terms of sustainable development. One of the latest measures is an environmental monitoring satellite system that is considered to play a pivotal role in ensuring Sochi 2014 is the 'Gateway to Green Games'.

The monitoring system, launched by Sochi 2014, Russia's bid to host Olympic and Paraolympic Winter Games and the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources, uses Russian satellites to take pictures of the Olympic development sites and surrounding areas.

Thus, the system enables to minimize the environmental impact of development and construction for the Games. The pioneering system will also set environmental benchmark legacy for the Sochi region and entire Russia.

For instance, it enables series of maps of Sochi to be created that show aspects such as vegetation, animal habitats, soils, altitudinal belts, gradients and zones to monitor avalanche, mudflow and landslide ensuring that natural habitats are not affected during construction.

The Environmental Monitoring Satellite System is financed through the USD11.7 billion Federal Target Programme for the Development of Sochi, guaranteed by the Government of the Russian Federation, which is already leading to the redevelopment of the city and the surrounding region.

The technology useful also in the future

The monitoring system collects data from a series of remote sensors, on-site observations, mobile units and state-of-the-art mapping techniques.

According to Amirkhan Amirkhanov, Deputy Director of the National Environment Policy Department, Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation, the technology has been developed for Sochi 2014 to ensure the very highest possible environmental standards in the development of the region as a world-class winter sports resort.

“But we now have the opportunity to use it in future development projects across Russia and share our expertise with our friends from around the world,” Amirkhanov points out..

“Besides playing a pivotal role in ensuring Sochi 2014 is the 'Gateway to Green Games', the system is an example for the rest of the world and will help us set a benchmark for future projects to follow,” says Dmitry Chernyshenko, CEO of Sochi 2014 Bid.

Maps already taken

The advanced maps have already allowed Sochi 2014 and the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources to take a number of steps for the benefit of the environment, including:

*developing a suite of venue-specific environmental measures for protection of local flora and fauna;
*fine-tuning the choice of locations for the various sports facilities and making more informed town-planning decisions;
*developing locality-specific suites of engineering protection measures;
*substantiating a system of monitoring operations to track changes there might be in the condition of flora, fauna, soils, and various geological developments.

Siemens provides security expertise

Sochi 2014 has engaged the Security Systems Division of Siemens Building Technologies to provide the highest level of security to Russia’s plans to host the Games in 2014.

The consultancy provided by Siemens covers a detailed analysis of all the technical aspects of the Sochi 2014 Security Concept. Using best practices from their work with Athens 2004 and Doha 2006, Siemens outlined an indicative timeline for design, integration and program management aspects for Sochi 2014, including a program of coaching and knowledge transfer from Siemens Team to Sochi 2014.

"Within the scope of our portfolio and capabilities, we have thoroughly evaluated all security aspects of the Sochi 2014 Games plan. The Sochi 2014 team, in partnership with the Government, have considered every security detail using latest technology to ensure that the Sochi 2014 Winter Games is a safe and secure event for all participants, says Jens Wegmann, President Siemens Building Technologies Security Systems.

The Siemens report details several large integrated security systems designed to support the safe and secure movement of people, materials and vehicles into and around the Olympic territories, using a Integrated Security Command and Operations Center (ICOC) in conjunction with local resources.

Athletes consider also as ‘green’ wake-up call

In recognition of Sochi 2014’s efforts to provide outstanding Green Games, 15 Russian winter athletes have given their seal of approval today for the Russian Bid Olympic and Paralympic Games plan by signing Sochi 2014 Athletes’ Environmental Charter

The participants believe that Sochi 2014 will not only safeguard the region’s treasured environment, but act to further the concept of a Green Games. “I am convinced that the Games in Sochi will serve as a wake-up call for the Russian nation, providing our first true model for environmentally friendly development. The Games in Sochi can improve Russia’s ‘green’ consciousness and raise awareness by setting a working example,” says Svetlana Zhurova, reigning women’s Olympic champion 500m speed skater and Sochi 2014 Ambassador.

Also all major political parties in Russia united together in expressing their full support for Sochi 2014.

The Sochi 2014 Environmental plan is based on three main action areas — inclusiveness, environmental consciousness and economic viability. For instance, the city of Sochi aims to be carbon neutral and zero-waste city.

Sochi aims also to offer a memorable Cultural Olympiad in the four-year lead up to the Games in Sochi. In 2010 will be featured Russian Cinema, 2011 will focus on Russian Theatre in Sochi, 2012 will celebrate music.

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