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Paralympics Australia is keenly embracing the Paris 2024 Organising Committee’s goal to make responsible environmental practices a centrepiece of the next Paralympic Games.
Australian Team Chef de Mission Kate McLoughlin and Senior Manager, Games Delivery Nat Browne attended the National Olympic Committees’ and National Paralympic Committees’ Welcome Days in Paris late last month, where venue tours were held and presentations given on a range of Games planning procedures. The topics discussed were transport, security, accommodation, food and beverage, accreditation, logistics, arrivals and departures, venues and infrastructure, the Paralympic Village, hospitality and ticketing.
Loving being in Paris again to tour the @Paris2024 facilities with our @Paralympics family. Great progress being made 👍 pic.twitter.com/QyQtSIcKzy
— Kate McLoughlin (@katemcloughlin4) September 28, 2022
A comprehensive presentation on sustainability was also delivered, indicating Paris 2024’s determination to improve the environmental credentials of the Games.
Browne said the focus on sustainability was a shift from previous Games and was wholly supported by Paralympics Australia.
“The very big emphasis on sustainability was one thing that really stood out for us and it’s something the Paralympics Australia Games Delivery team is now going to place more focus on as well,” she said.
“Paris 2024 have shown us how they want that aspect of the Games to happen, from giving out reusable cups in the Village to reduce the use of plastic bottles to the way they’re encouraging teams in Europe to arrive by train to reduce their carbon footprint. It’s a consistent approach and they’re asking teams and delegations to do the same where possible.
“It’s something we are very keen to follow. From a planning and procurement standpoint, we’re now looking at how we can do things better.”
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Browne thanked Paris 2024 for taking a stand on sustainability and said Paralympics Australia’s Games Delivery environmental policies would take shape in coming months.
The Australian team’s second visit to Paris was also a chance to update staff at the Australian Embassy on planning and discuss events that may be held there.
“We also continued our out-of-village planning,” Browne said.
“We met with some local councils and governments to try and find a uniform distribution space and once we’ve established that link, we plan to do some community engagement activities so we can give back to the local community.
“It was interesting that all the local governments we met with may have started liaising with Olympic teams, but none had met with Paralympic team representatives, so we always seem to be the first in that space. The governments there are really keen to work with Paralympic teams.”
Another huge day of presentations from @Paris2024 as we continue preparations for our @AUSParalympics team! Loved experiencing Blind Football as we were coached by 3 time French Paralympian Gaël Riviere ⚽️ @Paralympics pic.twitter.com/315Wy5UW4W
— Kate McLoughlin (@katemcloughlin4) September 29, 2022
Browne said she and McLoughlin gained a strong sense that the Paris Games would be warmly embraced by the French people.
“For instance, we visited a school where we thought we were just going for a meeting. When we arrived, the kids had made drawings and did a performance for us. It was really special and shows just how much they are looking forward to hosting the world at the 2024 Paralympics.”
The next significant preparation event in Paris will be the Chef de Mission Seminar in September 2023.
By: David Sygall, Paralympics Australia
Posted: 24 October 2022
