It could well be a case of “Australians let us all rejoice” when the IOC Members cast their votes on Brisbane’s “irresistible bid” to host the 2032 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The IOC Executive Board has overnight unanimously approved Brisbane’s proposal to host Australia’s third Olympics with Brisbane and South East Queensland set to join Melbourne (1956) and Sydney (2000) as a Games host city.
The 103 members will vote on Brisbane’s “date with destiny” at the IOC Session in Tokyo on July 20-21 – on the eve of this year’s Games which start on July 23.
DESTINATION BRISBANE: Date with Games Destiny on July 21 in Tokyo. Photo Courtesy: Brisbane City.
But with no other cities left in contention it will almost certainly be a rubber-stamping exercise.
The IOC president, Thomas Bach, said Brisbane had impressed his organisation because it presented a “clear vision for a sustainable and feasible Olympic Games” which was fully aligned with the IOC’s vision. Bach also cited its climate in July and August as well as the great support from the public and across the political spectrum.
“All these together made it somehow irresistible for the future host commission as well as for the executive board.”
EXCUSED FROM VOTE: IOC Vice President and AOC boss John Coates excused himself from the vote. Photo Courtesy: IOC Media.
Australian Olympic Committee boss and IOC Vice-President John Coates, who excused himself from the vote said: “It is the Members we have to convince of the merits of our ambition to host the Summer Olympic Games for the third time (but) we have our date with destiny.
“Since being awarded Targeted Dialogue status, we have seen many months of hard work and cooperation between three levels of government, to get Brisbane 2032 before the IOC Members who make the ultimate decision next month.
“Frankly, the due diligence undertaken by the IOC’s Future Host Commission far exceeds that to which we were subject with our candidacy for Sydney 2000.
“Since entering the Targeted Dialogue phase in February this year, we have presented the IOC’s Future Host Commission with detailed responses to their Questionnaire and held forums where we have addressed the issues, they have raised in relation to the Brisbane proposition,” Mr Coates said.
“We also presented to the current 33 International Federations of sports and disciplines on the Olympic program under their Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) umbrella.”
Mr Coates outlined the critical areas addressed in discussions since February, that of:
- Vision and Legacy
- Games Master Plan and venues
- Transport
- Games experience for Athletes and spectators
- Sustainability
- The Economics of the Games
- Governance and;
- Guarantees
Coates described Australia as a sports-loving nation with an excellent track record in delivering major international events.
“Importantly, the Brisbane proposal is fully compliant with the IOC’s ‘New Norm’ agenda to make hosting the Olympic Games affordable and to deliver long lasting value to the communities which host them,” said Coates, who will meet the media later today (Sydney time).
EXISTING VENUE: Commonwealth Games swimming venue, the Gold Coast Aquatics Centre on the Gold Coast Broadwater. Photo Courtesy: Gold Coast City Council.
“Events would be hosted in facilities already existing, planned or upgraded. These planned and upgraded facilities will deliver long-lasting value to Queensland’s sporting and community legacy and will be in use before the Games.
“Most importantly for Queensland and Australia, the Games will super-charge the sporting environment which is so critical for the health and wellbeing of future generations.”
Mr Coates noted the independent economic assessment by KPMG, commissioned by the Queensland Government, has indicated that the Games will deliver a total benefit of $8.1 billion for Queensland, and $17.61 billion for Australia.
The report also found that the Games would create 91,600 Full Time Equivalent job years for Queensland and 122,900 Full Time Equivalent job years nationally.
“As we emerge from the economic setbacks of the COVID period, this is exactly the panacea Queensland and Australia needs. Economically, socially and for the health and wellbeing of the state and beyond.
“As the National Olympic Committee responsible for submitting the candidature, the AOC is excited about the potential for a Brisbane 2032 Games to inspire participation in sport for a generation of children, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders,” Mr Coates concluded.
Gary Pettigrove with surfboats?
Kcirtap Esorg I do not know at this stage. In 1956 olympics in Melbourne there were surfboats. No surfboats in the Sydney olympics in 2000. Maybe in Brisbane in 2032.
Gary Pettigrove i hope it is.
Congratulations
I will come
Bobbi Donovan
Tom Musch That’s exciting!