The Challenge - the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic is expected to be the largest mass gathering of people in UK sporting history and one of the greatest challenges for environmental health.
Environmental health will be critical to the success of the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.
The CIEH is working with a wide range of partners to ensure that environmental health practitioners (EHPs) are fully equipped to play a full role in the preparation for London 2012.
Many EHPs have considerable experience providing environmental health services for big events such as the Commonwealth Games, music festivals (Glastonbury, Reading festivals for example).At these events EHPs are responsible for ensuring food safety and hygiene, maintaining noise control, planning for emergencies and conducting risk assessments. However, these events will be dwarfed by the sheer size and magnitude of London 2012.
The 2012 Games will attract over 500,000 visitors and around 15,000 athletes from over 200 countries. In addition to the Olympic venues, other key environmental health targets will include training camps, non sporting venues, cultural Olympiad events, Live Sites, regional and local visitor attractions. Sustainability is a key priority for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics which aims to be the most eco-responsible Games ever.
And it won’t be just EHPs in the local authorities hosting venues that will be involved in planning for a safe and healthy Olympics/Paralympics. EHPs working in the private and volunteer sector all can make a significant contribution to working towards the highest public and environmental health standards.EHPs across the country and from all disciplines may be called upon to help achieve a lasting legacy for environmental health beyond 2012.
The CIEH has created a register of interest where practitioners can submit their details if they would consider participating in an environmental health volunteer programme that may be planned to help support London 2012. As individuals you can volunteer directly to support the Olympics/Paralympics or through the Host Cities programme ( see www.london2012.com for more information).
The CIEH continues to produce guidance and publications and to organise workshops for EHPs on a range of issues to help prepare and plan for the Games.
EHPs have the skills, experience and training to make a significant public health contribution to the 2012 Games. The CIEH continue to be fully engaged with the extensive planning and preparation for the Olympics and Paralympics.