Green standards and sports centres: Nazik Avdalyan discusses new project at COP17

A discussion entitled “Green Standards in the Construction and Operation of Sports Facilities” was held in COP17’s Green Zone at the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex.

An Armenpress correspondent spoke about the discussion’s main topic with world and European weightlifting champion Nazik Avdalyan, founding director of the Nazik Avdalyan Sports Development Foundation.

The discussion’s title says a great deal, but could you explain what green standards are and how much of a role they can play in both the construction and subsequent operation of sports facilities?

The discussion focused mainly on a planned sports and education centre that is currently at the design stage. I attach great importance to green standards in this project because, unfortunately, the further technology and equipment advance, the further we move away from nature.

We need to start thinking about how to cause as little harm to nature as possible. I am very pleased that the NAV Sports and Education Centre is being built in accordance with green standards from the outset. It is very important that it causes as little harm to biodiversity as possible.

This will also influence the thinking and values of the children who will train there. I believe facilities like this enhance our country’s standing as one that has chosen a path of sustainable development.

Many of us have followed your sporting career. Your success and achievements owe much to your determination and hard work, but also to supportive coaches and sports schools. Did these experiences inspire the idea of creating a sports centre?

I have lived a life that is important and precious to me. I did not want it simply to pass, remain something that belonged only to me and be recorded merely as a victory.

That desire and dream took shape when I met children living in the regions. I realised how much potential we have there. There are wonderful children with tremendous physical and intellectual abilities who simply need an opportunity.

I have often spoken at schools and sports schools, meeting children and constantly thinking about them. I felt those meetings were not particularly effective: we would visit schools and motivate children, but they lacked suitable facilities, so they would return to their everyday routines and way of life.

My dream became a goal, and I established a foundation to create sports and education centres and sports schools in the regions, giving children the opportunity to take part in sport.

If the sports and education centres I envisage become a reality, within a few years Armenia will become one of the world’s sporting powerhouses.

I hope that happens. Inspiring individuals like you can make a major contribution to it.

I am not alone in working towards that goal and fulfilling my dream. Athletes, the federation, the country, like-minded people and others who seemed to have no connection with sport are standing alongside me and contributing to this work.

I understand that various international partners also took part in the discussion. What did you expect from them, and what response did you receive?

As an athlete, I had heard about green standards, but gaining a complete understanding is difficult. That is where specialists help: you discuss things with them and understand where it all leads. I am very pleased to have met the international specialists who took part in the discussion.

It was a very constructive meeting. It reaffirmed our belief in the need for all this and the importance of having such facilities in the country.

What steps are needed to implement the project?

The project is being implemented with state support. We plan to establish a centre in the Artik area and in other locations as well. We will see how things work out.

Research is under way. We are constantly learning new things and holding discussions. It may be possible to make faster progress in another region. Work continues every day, with new people and specialists continually joining the initiative.

I must also ask about the film made about you. There is a particularly striking scene in which, at the most important moment of your life, you think about the barbell while in church. Ultimately, are athletes born, or does hard work produce the results you have achieved?

I think athletes are born, but not everyone becomes one, because that requires opportunities, suitable conditions and people to guide you. I had those people alongside me.

The film conveyed a very important message: if you want to succeed, you must love your work wholeheartedly and dedicate yourself to it, as I did. I have always had immense respect and love for the barbell and my sport. I feel the same about the work and mission I am pursuing now.

That journey has brought me to where I am today. I have never regarded my victories as an endpoint. I have always thought about what purpose those victories would serve afterwards. I have always asked myself that question. That journey led me to a more important mission and responsibility.

Thank you, Nazik, for accepting our invitation.

My pleasure.