The Conference in the Qatari capital takes place from todau until Monday (May 2) and is jointly organised by the IOC and the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The event will see key figures from the world of sport, such as Rogge, gather together to discuss key issues regarding their environmental responsibility.

Rogge, who presented the IOC Sport and Environment Awards to selected members of the Olympic Movement during the ceremony, warned that leading sport figures must do all it can to help the environment in an emotional speech.

"Sport is a powerful tool for positive change," he said.

"Our task is to ensure we use that tool for the benefit of the planet we share.

"We owe that to ourselves and to the future generations who will inherit this earth.

"The winners here tonight have embraced this concept and are worthy recipients of the IOC Sport and Environment Award."

Over the next two days, participants will discuss a range of environment-related topics, including how sport can contribute to the 2012 Rio +20 Earth Summit; how to make sports events more sustainable and the role of Olympians in promoting respect for the environment.

"It is a huge honour and a proud moment for the Qatar Olympic Committee to be co-hosting the 9th World Sport and Environment Conference," said QOC general secretary Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani (pictured) at the Opening Ceremony.


"The IOC and UNEP have developed an influential Conference over recent years that has stimulated real discussion and provided thought-leadership to the global sports sector.

"I have no doubt that this will be the case at this year's Conference."

Following the speeches, Rogge presented the IOC Sport and Environment Awards.

The awards are presented every two years to members of the Olympic Movement who are nominated by National Olympic Committees, International Federations or Continental Associations.

This year, 43 candidatures were submitted with one winner selected for each of the five continents.

From Africa, the award went to 2010 FIFA World Cup Host City Cape Town and from the Americas it was given to South American Games 2010 Host City Medellin.

From Asia, the Japan Swimming Federation (JASF) won, from Europe, the National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark won and from Oceania the Marshall Islands National Olympic Committee picked up the trophy.

In addition, a special award was given to QOC for its commitment to the environment and sustainable technology, including its goal of delivering zero-carbon, solar technology to cool its 2022 FIFA World Cup stadiums and training sites.

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