The Role of Plastics in Shaping the 2024 Olympics

By Tahira Mclean

Athletes were not the only one's goal-orientated during the 2024 Olympic Games; the Parisian organisers outran the competition when it came to sustainability. An impressive 95% of the venues used are pre-existing structures, and any additional fittings and materials specifically designed for the Games were either repurposed or recycled after the event. From catering to energy consumption, every detail of the event's carbon footprint was closely monitored.  

Paris 2024 made a global impact both on and off the field. Keep reading to uncover the vital role plastics played in revolutionising the Olympics. 

Gearing up for Greatness – Plastics in Sport and Athletic Wear

Adidas revealed the official Team GB kit for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, but what features in these garments gave our athletes the edge in their quest for gold? The answer lies in the incredible potential of plastics (and talent). Plastics play a crucial role in the world of sports, seamlessly integrated into a wide range of equipment used in activities like tennis, track and field, swimming, boxing, trampolining, and more.  

The versatile nature of plastics make them essential for athletic wear. The lightweight, breathable fabrics such as polyester meshes are used to enhance ventilation and moisture management. This includes Lycra and polyester blends in compression tops, which work to minimise muscle vibration and fatigue, while also integrating moisture-wicking technologies to keep athletes feeling dry and comfortable. Swimwear utilises high-tech fabrics such as polyurethane and hydrophobic textiles to minimise water resistance. These innovative fabrics are crafted to repel water, decrease surface friction, and enhance overall swimming performance. Not to mention athletic footwear, which feature carbon fibre plates offering a perfect balance of lightweight support and increased energy rebound.  

From Zero to Hero – Plastics Reuse in Catering  

Fuel for the win does not have to be single use. Compared to the 2012 London Games, Paris cut single-use plastic by half. 

Company Re-uz partnered with the Games and drinks company Coca-Cola as they gave food and drink the sustainable edge. Re-uz exclusively supplied reusable cups and containers for food and drink after parent company Impact Group agreed a deal with organisers. Their goal was to increase awareness of the environmental impact of sporting events and encourage embracing re-use practices. 

Whether visitors wanted to enjoy a drink or grab a quick meal to-go, all containers and cups at each competition venue were designed to be reused. Visitors were also able to buy drinks without plastic, the Games' global drinks partner installed around 100 carbonated drink fountains which could be refilled on-the-go.

Re-uz cups © www.re-uz.com

From Podiums to Climate Change – Plastics in Medal Ceremonies

Competitors were able to reach new heights in 2024 as they ascended the podium to receive their winning medals. The sustainable podium design for Paris 2024 draws inspiration from the iconic Eiffel Tower's graceful lines and curves, winners not only stood at the pinnacle of their achievements but also on top of the city of Paris (in a way). 

Crafted from French wood and 100% recycled plastic, the podiums provide athletes with a prestigious platform to proudly showcase their national colours. There were 68 Olympic and Paralympic podiums in total, produced from 40 tonnes of recycled plastic.

Podiums for Paris 2024 © www.olympics.com

The Aquatics Centre – Plastics in Spectator Seating 

To minimise carbon impact, Paris 2024 opted to introduce only one new competition venue for the Games - The Aquatics Centre. This exceptional venue showcases seats crafted from locally sourced recycled plastic. Le Pavé and its partners moulded, cut, and shaped 11,000 seats using recycled plastic bottles and caps. A Paris-based recycler used 60 collection points for the bottle caps. These caps were meticulously sorted by colour and creatively incorporated into the final arena seating. The eco-friendly chairs now adorn two Olympic arenas – the Olympic Aquatic Centre in Seine-Saint-Denis and the Arena at Porte de la Chapelle in Paris. 

To make the most out of this newly built swimming venue, the organising committee made a generous decision... Located in a region where half of 11-year-olds lack the ability to swim, the Seine-Saint-Denis swimming pools were gifted to the local community after the 2024 Games end. 

2024 Olympic Aquatics Centre, Paris

Water Treatment for Swimming – Plastics in the Construction of Austerlitz Basin 

Following the recent record-breaking summer rainfall in the Paris region, the water quality in the river Seine has fallen below the standards set by public health authorities and World Aquatics. 

To safeguard the well-being of swimmers, the Basin of Austerlitz development project was initiated. The Austerlitz storage basin has the capacity to hold the equivalent of twenty Olympic swimming pools of water. This innovative reservoir empowers event organisers to proactively manage extreme weather conditions by preventing the discharge of wastewater into the Seine during heavy rainfall. Improving the water quality allows for the summer swimming competitions in the Seine River and will later grant residents access to swimming after the Games. 

But how did plastic play a role in this? Low-density expanded polystyrene can serve as a cushion between the ground and foundations, effectively reducing pressure on structures due to clay heave, shrinkage, or other soil movements. The innovative application of expanded polystyrene (Pecavoid®) - served as robust formwork during concrete pouring, creating a protective void for the construction of the Basin of Austerlitz. 

Bassin d'Austerlitz, Paris © MAX FRANK Group

Stories of triumph and perseverance were not only emerging from the participants of Paris 2024. The sustainability mission of the entire event was designed with the environment at its core. Plastics have been instrumental in shaping the 2024 Olympics and will hopefully inspire future organising committees of the endless possibilities that plastic recycling, reuse and innovation can achieve. 

Regardless of the medal, making strides in sport will be in the hands – and around the necks – of not only the athletes but also the organising committee for their implementation of sustainable practices for Olympic events today and in the future. 

References:

• https://olympics.com/ioc/news/paris-2024-high-ambitions-for-lower-carbon-games
• https://www.bpf.co.uk/plastipedia/applications/sports/Default.aspx  
• https://olympics.com/en/news/paris-2024-olympic-paralympic-podiums-revealed-eiffel-tower-inspired
• https://olympics.com/ioc/news/paris-2024-olympic-aquatics-centre-for-the-neighbourhood-for-the-long-term 
• https://www.maxfrank.com/uk-en/projects/entries/bassin-dAusterlitz-paris-FR.php

Author: T. Mclean, Content & Marketing Executive

*Please note that this article is not a press release. Do not use on your own website unless given specific permission from the author.