Renowned Aussie athletes play tennis on a floating court in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef as part of a new sustainability campaign
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Adidas’ new sustainability campaign ahead of the Australian Open has brought some of Australia's most renowned athletes together to hold their own Grand Slam tennis tournament on a floating court in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef.
The lineup of stars includes Olympians Ian Thorpe and Jess Fox who faced off against NRL Star Nathan Cleary and fitness influencer Steph Claire Smith.
Olympians Ian Thorpe and Jess Fox faced off against NRL Star Nathan Cleary and fitness influencer Steph Claire Smith in a new Adidas sustainability campaign. Credit: Adidas.
The campaign, which was launched on Tuesday, was aimed at promoting the sportswear brand's new reef-inspired collection.
The collection also features pieces made from a combination of recycled plastic and recycled thread — including the Parley thread made from bottles washed up on the world's beaches.
The athletes participating in the 'Great Barrier Reef Open' were all dressed in sustainable clothing from top to bottom.
The athletes were all dressed in sustainable clothing from top to bottom. Credit: Adidas.
Adidas said that the collection will be launched on the courts at the Australian Open on January 17 where much of the sportswear brand's new Parley Range will be on display.
The company's aim is to unite people in sport to make a better world, says Adidas Pacific Senior Director of Brand Shannon Morgan.
"We need to continue to implement sustainable solutions now so that we can help create a new era of sport for future generations."
Mr Morgan also disclosed the sustainability plans of the company, confirming that Adidas pledged to stop using 'virgin polyester' by 2024 and is hoping to be completely carbon neutral by 2050.
'To achieve these goals, we foster open-source partnerships and put a high value on collaboration over the competition to create sustainable solutions that go beyond our own business,' he said.
The collection will be launched on the courts at the Australian Open on January 17 where much of the sportswear brand's new Parley range will be on display. Credit: Adidas.
For those who are wondering whether it is safe for the athletes to play tennis in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef, Adidas said that they worked side-by-side with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and have secured approval from the Authority's tug and barge operators before transforming the top surface of a working barge into a tennis court surface.
Additionally, extra measures to protect the reef ecosystem were in place, including deploying a crew of specialised ball-boys to make sure that the tennis balls that come off the barge will not harm the reefs.
The plastic court will also be donated to a school in Townsville in hopes that it will inspire children to come together through sports and to learn more about sustainability.
Credit: YouTube/Sunrise
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