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Highlights
- Advancements in 4D printing and material sciences could create clothing that morphs with our body temperature and environmental conditions.
- With Virtual Reality, runners could experience a marathon from anywhere in the world.
- Energy-harvesting pavements could generate power from runners at events.
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Technology that puts sustainability at the centre of sport
It’s a special feeling to be heading to a mass sporting event the crowds, the community, and the buzz are all part of what it means to be human.
But what about the impact of such sporting events on the planet? Think of the carbon emissions produced by a huge number of people travelling and the waste generated at the events.
So, the question is, can mass sporting events be made sustainable? As one of the premier partners for running events globally, we’re committed to making sporting events around the world more sustainable through technology. In fact, the 2023 TCS London Marathon was the biggest running event in the world to receive a gold certification from the Council for Responsible Sport.
In this article, we speak to Bill Quinn, a Futurist at TCS. Bill is an avid cyclist but recently turned to running and completed the TCS New York City Marathon. He’s incredibly excited about the innovations that could transform efforts to advance sustainability in sport, from the performance clothing participants wear to the energy they could help create.
Sustainable clothing
We all know the importance of keeping warm before a race, but Bill believes material sciences could change how we dress for the start line.
“Runners throw clothing into a bin at the start line and never see it again. While it’s positive that these clothes will be donated, it still creates tremendous waste. With advancements in 4D printing, and material sciences, clothing will morph, so it can be warm to start the day, then light and airy as the weather heats up, and then become hydrophobic when afternoon rain comes. These materials will not only enhance performance, but they will also be biodegradable,” says Bill.
Virtual participants
The most notable marathons in the world attract many international runners, and while organisers are focusing on offsetting their carbon emissions, virtual reality (VR) technology could go a step further.
Bill says: “With VR, runners could experience the racecourse from anywhere in the world. It’s a good example of why, as futurists, we need to look beyond science and technology. This isn’t just a technology question but a societal question. Will people want to run a virtual race? Will there be a “sustainability” entry that positively recognises you for virtually running the race?”
Harvesting energy
Smart city infrastructure is changing the way new communities are built by considering the impact of more electric and autonomous vehicles and the need to harvest energy.
Bill believes marathon race day could look very different in a ‘smart city’.
“Energy-harvesting pavements could generate power as runners move over them. And as autonomous EVs become a reality, car ownership will likely diminish. On race day, this will translate into fewer cars needing parking and less energy wasted as drivers (both racers and spectators) circle city streets looking for a parking spot,” he says.
With advancements in 4D printing, and material sciences, clothing will morph, so it can be warm to start the day, then light and airy as the weather heats up, and then become hydrophobic when afternoon rain comes. These materials will not only enhance performance, but they will also be biodegradable
Digital twins
Digital twin technology is advancing quickly. Bill used commercially available technology to create a digital twin that tracked his training and performance for the TCS New York City marathon.
When combined with AI, digital twins can be used to model all aspects of a race event to improve its sustainability. Organisers can use the data to answer questions such as:
What’s the most time and energy-efficient way to get runners to the start line and spectators on the race route?
How much food/water will we need at each station to support runners while preventing unnecessary waste?
- What’s the most efficient way to move fuelling resources from one location to another?
While some of these innovations are still over a decade away, they do point to a brighter future for sustainability in sport.