September 20, 2008
Forest Grove, OR
Every two years the national championship for the sport of triathlon comes to a new venue. For this year and last, that venue has been Henry Hagg Lake, a woodsy agricultural reservoir approximately 40 miles west of Portland in the Pacific Northwest. The USA Triathlon National Championships of 2008 represented a significant opportunity for the sport of triathlon to move boldly forward on "green" initiatives due to several conspiring factors:
- Oregon's reputation as a state leading the nation in green industry, and particularly Portland as a center for aggressive policies and practices in this area.
- Early partnership (January of 2008) with the Council for Responsible Sport to enroll Nationals in the pilot "seedling" program for green events.
- Recognition at both the Board and senior staff member levels of USAT's commitment to "setting the standard" for sustainable policies in its business and event practices. Indeed, one of the five core components of a recently completed 5-year plan was "Venue Preservation."
- Offers from the consultancy group Athletes for a Fit Planet to help plan and implement sustainability initiatives. AFFP's owner, Bruce Rayner, sat on a USAT task force throughout the spring and summer to devise ways for USAT to infuse its organization with environmental sensibilities.
Waste
Cardboard bins labeled "recycling" were evident at the event, but these were not the result of planning by USA Triathlon. One of the event's expo vendors, Bruce Rayner of Athletes for a Fit Planet, took it upon himself to construct signs in his hotel room upon learning that no recycling would take place. He affixed the signs to extra trash bins and located them alongside existing trash bins in the vicinity of the finish line and expo tent. With no plans for recycling to be separated or removed, Mr. Rayner planned to do the job himself.
Following the event, however, co-mingling of trash and recyclable materials had occurred to an extent that precluded separation, and everything ended up in the rented trash dumpster. It has become clear that wherever recycling is to take place, trained volunteers need to be present to ensure that the first step - separation - occurs consistently and accurately.
No credits were documented, and therefore none were awarded.
Climate
As Nationals are the most prestigious race held by USAT each year, athletes traveled from each of the 50 states to take part. Although advertised as being held in Portland, the race venue is a one-hour drive from downtown Portland and is not served by public transportation. Since the race did not provide shuttles from populations centers, nearly every athlete drove out to the secluded, forested lake. And since USAT required athletes to drop off bikes in the transition area the day before the race, every athlete needed to make two trips out to the park.
Power for the event came from nonrenewable sources: gas generators and electric outlets in the shelters. All race vehicles were gas-powered.
No credits were documented, and therefore none were awarded.
Equipment & Materials
Traditional materials and equipment were used for the event. Nothing of note proved innovative or footprint-lessening.
No credits were documented, and therefore none were awarded.
Community and Outreach
Had the race actually been held in Portland, a significant opportunity for public outreach could have occurred. But since the event was held in remote Hagg Lake, the spectators on hand consisted of friends and family of those competing. Volunteers proved difficult to recruit, and were in short supply for several key areas.
No credits were documented, and therefore none were awarded.
Health Promotion
A similar observation can be made here: a race held in downtown Portland would have made a larger impact than one held at Hagg Lake. Little effort was made to attract members of the general public or educate them as to the health benefits of triathlon.
No credits were documented, and therefore none were awarded.