- The third day commences with an engaging session by Ms. Isha Rathee, Architect, Populous, on the topic, “Sustainable Venue Design, Green Infrastructure, and Temporary Venues – Building Eco-friendly Sport Complexes.”
- BCORE leads the future of Olympism through Learning, Education, Aspiration and Dissemination (LEAD)
NE SPORTS BUREAU
GANDHINAGAR, JAN 29
Aiming to take the Indian sporting sector to new heights, the Union government is putting all their efforts to bag the hosting rights for the 2036 Olympics, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi while speaking at the opening ceremony of the 38th National Games in Dehradun on Tuesday.
Solidly backing the PM Modi’s efforts, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Dr PT Usha, in her address at the 1st International Olympic Research Conference at Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), on Wednesday said, “India is focussing not just on strengthening infrastructure capabilities, but also intellectual preparedness as it eyes hosting rights for the 2036 Olympic Games.”
Dr. Usha reflected on the inauguration of BCORE at RRU during the Olympics, marking a significant milestone in India’s sporting ambitions. She described the International Olympic Conference as the first step in realizing this vision and thanked RRU for leading the initiative. Dr. Usha emphasized that India’s involvement with the Olympic movement is a transformative journey that goes beyond sports competition, promoting peace, education, and cultural exchange through sports.
She also elaborated on BCORE as a multidisciplinary initiative designed to simulate the experience of hosting the Olympics, integrating key aspects of sports governance and development. Given its timing, the conference is especially significant as India strengthens its intellectual and research capacities for future sporting endeavours.
The former track and field star noted India’s engagement with the quadrennial international games goes beyond competitive sports to embrace its true spirit of promoting peace and cultural exchange.
The third day of the First International Olympic Research Conference at the Bharat Centre of Olympic Research and Education (BCORE), Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), was highlighted by an enriching experience of learning, knowledge exchange and a strong commitment to sustainability.
The day commenced with an engaging session by Ms. Isha Rathee, Architect, Populous, on the topic, “Sustainable Venue Design, Green Infrastructure, and Temporary Venues – Building Eco-friendly Sport Complexes.” Ms. Rathee brought her extensive expertise to the forefront, emphasizing that sports venues are not just architectural entities but a culmination of environmental, social, and economic considerations.
She covered a wide spectrum of topics such as factors that shape the design and construction of venues, the importance of cost-effectiveness, flexibility, sustainability, and maintenance while designing temporary venues. Through notable case studies such as Lords Stadium and The O2 Arena, she illustrated how Olympic venues, once considered financial burdens, may transform into long-term assets by facilitating other sports, events and temporary assets. She concluded by advocating for a balanced approach that integrates both permanent and temporary venues, ensuring eco-friendliness, energy efficiency, and cost-benefit analysis.
Following this, Mr. Yoonkyu Song from the Willibald Gebhardt Institute. V., Germany, along with Mr. Charly and Ms. Margaux from the Ceroun University, France, introduced the concept of the Olympic Study Research Center and further emphasized the role of research in advancing these ideals and fostering a deeper understanding of the Olympic legacy. Their session underscored the core values of the Olympic movement, such as respect, friendship, cooperation and excellence.
The day continued with a tree plantation ceremony at the BCORE campus, symbolizing the conference’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. The ceremony was led by Padma Shri P.T. Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), and Professor (Dr.) Bimal N. Patel, Vice-Chancellor of RRU.
The event was then followed by the felicitation of Dr. P.T. Usha and Sir Ajay Patel, Senior Vice President of the IOA, by the Vice-Chancellor of RRU, Prof. Dr. Bimal N. Patel.
As India’s first academic unit in this domain, BCORE aims to serve as a global platform where international expertise intersects with Indian innovation.
The day stood as a testament to the power of research, collaboration and innovation in shaping the future of Olympic sports infrastructure and values. With continued discussions and shared knowledge, the conference moves forward in its mission to drive excellence in Olympic research and education.
