What would hosting the 2032 Olympics mean for Brisbane?

John Coates, former Vice-President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and current President of the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), strongly supports a bid from Brisbane to host the 2032 Summer Olympics.

A feasibility study commissioned by South East Queensland Council of Mayors back in 2016, and investigated by French company Lagardere, concluded that South East Queensland was capable of hosting the event.

The study founded that upgrades are already needed in the south-east region, and an Olympics would provide an extra return on the projects. RACQ Chief Communications Officer Paul Turner said: “What I think the Olympics in 2032 actually does is give us a focus and a lightning rod to something we should be doing anyway”.

The report expressed concern at the commute times in the south-east region, specifically the commute from the Gold to the Sunshine Coast and the M1 between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Former Brisbane Lord Mayor and South-East Queensland Council of Mayors Chairman Graham Quirk told ABC Radio: “We cannot hold an Olympic Games if we don’t build the infrastructure to keep up with population growth. An Olympic Games would set a catalyst, a line in the sand as to when infrastructure needed to be built by.”

The report suggests that Brisbane would be host of 21 Olympic venues, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast would both host 5 venues and the remaining 7 would be hosted in the broader south-east region.

A new Olympic stadium would be required, complemented by stadiums across the region including Brisbane Stadium, Robina Stadium and Carrara Stadium, which would need upgrades in due course.

The cost would come at an estimated $900 million to tax payers – not inclusive of the billions of dollars needed for roads and public transport.

The report predicts that the Olympic Games would bring an additional 100,000 visitors to the region and 10,500 competing athletes.

Sydney still reaps the benefits from hosting the 2000 Olympic Games, proving a catalyst for Sydney hosting major events in years to come and bringing the world’s attention to the capabilities of Australian companies and individuals.

The Commonwealth Games hosted by the Gold Coast in 2018 brought renewed focus to the Gold Coast’s strong credential in all-things sports, acknowledged the cultural capabilities of the city, encouraged the completion of major transport projects and recemented the region on the global map.

If Brisbane chooses to bid as host city, they have until 2023 when the official bid is required. The International Olympic Committee won’t decide on the host city until 2025.

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What would hosting the 2032 Olympics mean for Brisbane?