Features

Bay Area Olympic bid hopefuls promise environmental perks

The Associated Press
Monday November 26, 2001

Public transit extensions, solar power among issues 

 

SAN FRANCISCO – Organizers of the San Francisco Bay area’s campaign to host the 2012 Olympics say they’ll make the event green and clean if selected. 

Promises of extended public transportation and solar power would establish the Bay Area as the most environmentally conscious Olympics in history should San Francisco get the nod, organizers claim. 

“It’s the right thing to do. It’s the practical thing to do,” said Mark Jordan of the bay Area Sports Organizing Committee. “Having the Olympics here will make the Bay Area a better place afterward.” 

Jordan’s group of political, sports and business leaders is spearheading the move to get the games held in San Francisco and 11 other surrounding cities. 

The eco-friendly commitments would include wide spread public transportation instead of parking access to all venues as far north as Sacramento and extending south to Monterey. 

Swimming pool chlorine for the events would be replaced with a high-tech ozone treatment solution. Housing for athletes and coaches would be powered by solar energy. 

Sewage and wastewater from the Olympic Village would be treated and recycled for irrigation use. 

The Sierra Club, Audubon Society and Greenbelt Alliance have all been consulted for their input on hosting an environmentally friendly Olympics. 

The U.S. Olympic Committee will name the winner of the 2012 bid next November. 

San Francisco is one of four finalists, along with New York, Houston and Washington, D.C.