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The Olympics will return to Australia for the third time after Brisbane was officially awarded the rights to host the 2032 Games following a vote by member countries of the International Olympic Committee in Tokyo.
With the Australian city being the only candidate city still in the running and firmly supported by the IOC’s future host commission, Wednesday’s decision was a given.
Still, the bid team, led by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Federal Sports Minister Richard Colbeck and Brisbane Mayor Adrian Schrinner, came from Australia to make the case in person.
Palaszczuk said during the session that Queensland would offer the Olympic movement “a safe pair of hands”. “We are committed to creating a successful model as part of your new host city strategy by presenting a cost neutral, climate positive, safe… and exciting experience for the whole world,” she said .
Earlier Wednesday, IOC communications director Mark Adams tried to downplay the certainty surrounding the candidacy. “This is not a done deal because it is still up to the session to decide,” he said. “They can decide to put the problem back in the pot – there are still a number of cities interested.”
But with celebratory fireworks scheduled in Brisbane, no late drama was expected and members ratified the decision during the IOC session at a lavish hotel in central Tokyo.
The 2032 Olympics, the third held in Australia after Melbourne in 1956 and Sydney in 2000, are estimated at $ 5 billion. Most of this is expected to be recovered through ticket revenue, national sponsorship and broadcast rights.
The bid predicted that the Games will bring $ 17 billion in economic benefits, although the Olympic movement is renowned for its high expectations unmatched by economic reality.
“My government is proud to support this opportunity for Brisbane and South East Queensland,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said while making his case via video link from Australia. “The Australian and Queensland governments are fully funding the infrastructure projects for the Games, ensuring they are delivered by Brisbane 2032, but also leaving a lasting legacy. “
Brisbane will also host the Paralympics, the second time Australia has done so – the first Paralympic Games were held in Rome in 1960.
“Our vision and plans are as ambitious as they should be,” Paralympics Australia President Jock O’Callaghan said in a statement. “We will be guided by a relentless focus on inclusion, diversity and accessibility and we will be guided by the Paralympic ideals of purpose, equality, inspiration and courage.”
Brisbane’s successful bid comes amid a period of turmoil for the IOC. The Switzerland-based international sports body has drawn sustained criticism for its approach to the Tokyo 2020 Games, which began on Wednesday with softball games and officially begin at the opening ceremony on Friday.
The IOC continued its plans for this month’s Games, more than a year after they were postponed due to Covid-19, in the face of widespread national opposition. Polls suggest that around 80% of the Japanese population want the Olympics canceled.
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