50 days on from the Antalya 2024 SPAR European Cross Country Championships on 8 December and a report into the event has revealed it to be one of the most significant sustainable legacies of European Athletics events.
A sustainable legacy was a core objective of the local organising committee with a series of initiatives in the lead up, during and after the event. The roadmap to deliver the legacy was :
- to minimise the environmental impact of the SPAR European Cross Country Championships in the local area
- to promote a social and economic legacy for the benefit of the host community
- to favour local/national procurement over shipping from abroad, thus ensuring the organisation of the championships are cost-effective and promote the regional economy
- to educate and communicate effectively with all accredited persons about different sustainable initiatives implemented during the championships
- to contribute to European Athletics sustainability programme through benchmarking for sustainable events
These visions were brought to life by the following successfully delivered initiatives:
- Paper Reduction – including official publications being distributed electronically only
- Reduction of Single-use Plastics - catering providers using reusable crockery, cutlery and glassware as well as eco-friendly materials in other catering facilities
- Land Regeneration - redevelopment of the Dokuma Park including the renovation of existing infrastructure to be used after the event by the local community
- Increased Participation in Sports - School children attended the event with their coaches and teachers, which contributed to the success of overall community engagement
- Ecosystem Preservation - Olive trees seedlings were gifted to all medallists and were planted in a dedicated area within the Botanical Garden clearly identified as "Champions' Park"
- Boosting Local Economy - traditional and seasonal foods across different catering facilities reduced food miles and supported local business
Following the development of sustainability strategies at the Brussels 2023 SPAR European Cross Country Championships, the Banska-Bystrica 2024 European Athletics U18 Championships, there is a foundation of knowledge building for upcoming events, including the Lagoa 2025 SPAR European Cross Country Championships.
Chris Broadbent for European Athletics