Firework-polluting issue confronts International Olympic Committee
An environmental debate has complicated the job of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), who are considering whether firework displays at the opening and closing Olympics ceremonies pollute too much and
should be scrapped at the London 2012 Games.
Questions about the fireworks were raised by Sri Lankan National Olympic Committee president Hemasiri Fernando. He said fireworks have a “tremendous” effect on the environment. “We all have the responsibility
to protect this earth and the fireworks have a tremendous effect on the environment."
Following the comments, the IOC declared they will discuss the matter with their environmental committee. However, some resisted the emphasis, and asked for valid proof such as carbon footprints of previous
firework displays.
None, though, offered as much distance from the subject as the Chairman of the London 2012 organizing committee Lord Coe, who harshly said his team had other things to consider. “We have a creative team who
are looking at things and putting stuff together and, while I am keen to observe the views of all 205 national Olympic committees, at this moment my focus is delivering the 26 sports and I don’t have a fireworks policy,” Coe said.
Some point to the troubling fact that fireworks played a big role in the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics in 2008. However, sources differ on the actual amount of fireworks used, since organizers brightened
live broadcasting images with overlays of pre-filmed firework arrays.
The situation drew comparisons with the Seoul 1988 Games, when a ceremony involving the release of a large number of doves symbolizing peace resulted in the death of a flock after the Olympic cauldron was lit.
IOC President Jacques Rogge said “The doves went in the cauldron and tens of doves were burned alive and there was a lot of emotion from the world wildlife fund and animal protection
[...] and the IOC decided no doves would be released any more."
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