News article
Athletics Kenya and Swedish Athletics Association partnership targets air quality
The recent Stockholm marathon was able to measure air quality conditions for the first time, thanks to a collaboration between Athletics Kenya and the Swedish Athletics Association.
Ahead of the 2024 marathon weekend, which took place June 1-2, three new air quality sensors were installed with technical support from the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and non-profit SLB-analys.
It is the second World Athletics-sanctioned marathon to feature real-time air quality monitoring, following the Nairobi City Marathon in 2022 and 2023.
The collaboration between Athletics Kenya and the Swedish Athletics Association was established during the UN Stockholm+50 Conference in 2022, and together the organisations will promote sustainability within global athletics as part of the World Athletics Sustainability Strategy and its ‘Athletics for a better world’ standard.
“We are very pleased that for the first time, we were able to monitor air quality conditions during this year’s Adidas Stockholm marathon,” said Axel Lönnqvist from Marathongruppen, the organisers of the event.
“This gave assurance to our runners on the air quality conditions during the race.”
“In recent times, we have seen more frequent climate hazards, including flooding in East Africa and Brazil, and record breaking temperatures leading to summer heatwaves, all signs that the impact of climate change is now more visible than before."
Over the last three years, Athletics Kenya, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) Africa Centre have deployed air quality sensors across 14 sports stadia and facilities in six African countries.
The real-time air pollution data can help sports administrators and city authorities enhance the health and safety of both athletes and spectators.
SEI will continue to provide technical support for air quality measurements and climate action through the partnership between Athletics Kenya and the Swedish Athletics Federation.
“In recent times, we have seen more frequent climate hazards, including flooding in East Africa and Brazil, and record breaking temperatures leading to summer heatwaves, all signs that the impact of climate change is now more visible than before,” said Måns Nilsson, SEI Executive Director.
“This calls for urgent action, and the sports community must be at the forefront of action.”
Image: Pixabay