Even after the audience cancellation, the Olympic Games remain controversial. To this end, the host Japan has upgraded in terms of sustainability: the winning medals are also made from recycled electronic waste.
They start in two weeks: the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Because of the high number of infections, the giant sports event in Japan will take place without spectators, as the organizers announced on Thursday. The athletes will lack the support of the fans on site. After all, it is a small consolation that sustainable medals are waiting for you on the winners’ podium.
Between 2017 and 2019, the host Japan already collected large quantities of electronic waste, from which the German company ESG Edelmetall-Service produced 5000 medals. Managing director Dominik Lochmann proudly spoke of an “environmentally conscious campaign”.
Medals worth millions
According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), a total of 1,612 Japanese communities took part in the project and collectively collected 78,985 tons of old electronics. For the precious metals – the material value of which is said to be more than four million euros – old electronic devices and computer circuit boards were used.
The gold medals also consist largely of silver, but are “thickly coated with gold”, as ESG managing director Lochmann explained. “Therefore, the total need for silver to produce the recycled awards is greatest.”
With the campaign, Japan not only saves high costs for the precious metals. The host country also wants to set an example for the careful use of raw materials. The athletes in the Olympic Village will sleep on cardboard beds. The winners’ podiums are made from recycled plastic. And even the Olympic torch contains aluminum that was recycled from the makeshift shelters after the Fukushima disaster.
“Successful Olympians can hang their medals around their necks not only with pride, but also with a clear conscience,” said Lochmann.
“The sporting spirit remains unbroken”
Even if most athletes would probably have preferred to forego the sustainable medals than the spectators, at least the German Olympic team reacted with understanding to the fan exclusion in Tokyo. “This of course means that some atmosphere is lost. But given the increasing numbers, this decision is understandable and understandable,” said swimming hope Florian Wellbrock.
“We athletes will lack this support, but we will make the best of it and cheer each other on. The sporting spirit remains unbroken,” said long jump world champion Malaika Mihambo. Javelin thrower Johannes Vetter said to Sport1: “The Olympics without at least a few spectators is a damn shame. With all-father football, it becomes clear that other laws apply.”
For many athletes, a cancellation would have been “a huge shock,” said gymnast Elisabeth Seitz on Thursday evening on ZDF “heute-journal”. She is “very grateful” that the games actually take place. “And that’s a huge gift for us athletes. And we still try to do our best and enjoy everything as best as possible, even if the games are different than usual,” said the 27-year-old. Ghost games are the right decision: “Because security always comes first in the end.”
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I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
