Tulum, Mayan ruins visited by the muaythai athletes

Sustainability and awareness of the potential impact athletes can have on a venue are always at the heart of IFMA planning, and the 2018 tournament took this care to a new level. 

At every IFMA world championships the Local Organising Committee does their best to ensure the venue and the athlete’s hotel are in close proximity. For example in Minsk, Belarus last year, it was possible to walk between the two sites or take a short coach-trip of less than eight minutes duration.

Sustainability, credibility and youth are the three key pillars of the Olympic Agenda 2020. IOC head Thomas Bach has said: “From the design and construction of sports facilities and the way we manage resources, to valuing the natural environment and health and well-being of our people, all of our decisions will be informed by the sustainability principles that are highlighted here.”

And this year the Mexican LOC went one step further in ensuring a sustainable Muaythai World Championships. As per usual with IFMA events, they followed the AISTS Sustainable Sport & Event Toolkit (SSET), with an extra twist.

The athletes and their entourage all stayed at the Grand Oasis resort, and the competition venue was also on the grounds of this sprawling resort. Officials also stayed in another section of the resort.

This  meant that having arrived at the resort, there was almost no further need for use of transport. The only day on which coaches were used was the Excursion to the historic ruins of Tulum – a day on which the athletes travelled together on a fleet of large eco-friendly coaches.

Working in cooperation with the resort staff, rules were set out for the washing and changing of bed linen and towelling during the 10-day event.

The Mexican LOC were determined that this large influx of amateur muaythai athletes, officials and support would not have a negative impact on the beautiful beach-side location. Bottles of water used during competition have been recycled, with bins placed everywhere around the venue for easy access.

One of the organisers Jesus Santamaria said they were so happy to welcome the muaythai family to Cancun, and happy to make sure that the event left no negative traces on the local environment.

Catch up with results on IFMA LIve, and follow IFMA on social media for behind-the-scenes updates:

IFMA Facebook  IFMA Instagram IFMA TWitter and of course watch back the action on IFMA Youtube