Olympic mountain biker Kashi Leuchs leaves for Chicago this week as one of only a handful of international athletes invited to participate in Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Olympic Games.
“Chicago 2016” and the City of Chicago have proposed to host the first Blue-Green Games, the greenest and most environmentally responsible Games possible.
The two-day summit, held on September 10 and 11 and led by Chicago 2016’s environment team, will feature national and international leaders in sport, business, environment and sustainability. The summit will culminate in sustainability proclamations and other proceedings that will showcase new initiatives in Olympic and Paralympic sport and sustainability.
Leuchs was invited to participate as an athlete, but also because of his involvement with the 350.org movement. He is working to raise awareness of climate change among cyclists throughout the world.
“Cycling is a fantastic sport, a great way to keep healthy and a cheap and time efficient mode of transport. But perhaps most importantly it is a big part of the solution towards a long-term sustainable future.”
Leuchs will be responding to IDEO Design Consultancy chief technology strategist Doug Solomon in what organisers are regarding as one of the most exciting seminars: “Engaging New Audiences”.
“The seminar I’ve been invited to speak at focuses on how athletes and athletic organisations can engage sports fans in environmental activism. My work with the 350.org movement has given me a strong understanding and passion for promoting awareness and understanding of climate change
issues. Making people aware of the issues and getting them involved is one of the biggest hurdles.”
Kashi Leuchs has represented New Zealand in three Olympic Games and held a consistent place in the top 10 of the world’s elite riders for more than 10 years, during which time he lived in Sweden, USA and France. He now lives in Dunedin where he recently launched his own company, Adventure Media Group.
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