Page 53

such as these require a clear vision from host cities.ÒLegacy wonÕt happen by itself,Ó she explains. ÒIt has to be planned right from the very beginning; a city has to have a really strong reason to want to bid for the Games in the first place. If you want legacy, you have to have a vision for your city. The Games should be part of that cityÕs vision, and the planning and staging of the Games should be steps that are going to help a city and a country achieve their long-term vision.ÓAccording to Lema”tre, turning a host cityÕs legacy vision into a reality relies upon collaboration, monitoring and nurturing from all Games stakeholders, including city authorities, governments and the Organising Committee.ÒA successful legacy takes a lot of work and a lot of planning,Ó she says. ÒIt has to be part of the project from its conception Ð not only from when the city is elected. Cities need to have their key legacy objectives already mapped out and they must have buy-in from all the different parties.ÓAnd while many host cities can already point to a succession of positive Games legacies, the adoption of Olympic Agenda 2020 Ð the strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement Ð in December 2014 is ensuring that long-term thinking remains an integral part of Games planning for all future host cities.ÒOlympic Agenda 2020 gives greater prominence to sustainability and legacy than ever before,Ó explains Dubi. ÒOne of the first recommendations is to place sustainability at the heart of the Games and the heart of the Olympic Movement. Sustainability is a way to do things that will ensure positive legacies and, as a result of Olympic Agenda 2020, that must now be taken into consideration with every technical element related to the Olympic Games. ThatÕs how deep the changes are.ÓÔOLYMPIC AGENDA 2020 GIVES GREATER PROMINENCE TO SUSTAINABILITY AND LEGACY THAN EVER BEFOREÕCHRISTOPHE DUBI, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE OLYMPIC GAMESsustainable Olympic Games to date. The energy was provided for the stadium and the other facilities of the Olympic Park by an advanced biomass boiler installation. The stadium structure was a lightweight economical design, which used fewer materials and saved on heavy foundations. Its design has also stimulated the stadiumÕs multi-purpose use in its legacy formation, which is an essential ingredient of sustainability.ÓJohn believes the main Olympic stadium can form a key part of the legacy for any Games, especially when it is constructed in a sustainable manner.ÒStadiums are the centrepiece of the Olympic Games,Ó he says. ÒIt follows, therefore, that they must be designed with legacy in mind for a long-term use after the event. This must be fundamentally built into the brief from the outset.ÒDesigning for sustainability is vital because of concerns about the future of our planet and the effects of global warming. Care over the environmental effects of what we do is essential. Stadiums can be leaders in this, because of their importance.ÓLooking to the future, John believes Olympic Agenda 2020 will help ensure that stadiums remain an integral part of creating a legacy from hosting the Olympic Games Ð provided they are planned correctly.ÒThe IOCÕs Olympic Agenda 2020 sets out the directions for a sustainable future for stadiums,Ó he says. ÒThe stadium of the future has to be designed as an essential hub for the city. It can be a tool for regeneration. Its design must cater for the changing needs of both spectator sports and cultural and popular entertainment. Its design must cater for sustainable operation. And, above all, it should be loved by current and future generations.ÓAccording to John, multi-purpose or temporary venues like those used during the Olympic Games London 2012 could also play a key role in ensuring the sustainability of future stadiums.ÒAs can be seen from the transformation of the London Olympic Stadium Ð which hosted five matches during the 2015 Rugby World Cup before becoming the home ground of West Ham United Football Club and the national competition centre for British Athletics Ð the legacy potential of the stadium is huge.ÒWhile the main stadium retains incredible sporting memories in its transformation, it was also possible to Ôembrace the temporaryÕ [during London 2012]. This design strategy will, it is hoped, affect the way that future events are planned, watched, participated in and enjoyed.Ó ■LEGACIESOLYMPIC REVIEW 53