2032 Brisbane Olympics: Townsville, Whitsundays to co-host sailing
Townsville and the Whitsundays in North Queensland have been confirmed as shock co-hosts of the sailing events at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
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Townsville and the Whitsundays in North Queensland have been confirmed as shock co-hosts of the sailing events at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
During a live presentation in Brisbane, Premier David Crisafulli revealed the Games would reach beyond Brisbane, with events in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast.
As part of the infrastructure spend for the Games, the Bruce Highway will be upgraded, however details have not been released.
Football will also be played at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
In Mackay an “upgraded Harrup Park” will host the cricket.
Townsville city councillor Suzy Batkovic said hosting sailing in Townsville “amazing” on multiple levels.
“Obviously it is something that the legacy group have advocated strongly for … it would be so beneficial for Townsville on so many fronts,” she said.
The Townsville 2032 Legacy Working Group, of which Ms Batkovic is chairwoman, has been working behind the scenes to secure a lasting legacy from the games.
The former professional basketballer and dual silver Olympics medallist said that in addition to boosting sailing from the grassroots to international levels in Townsville, benefits included a massive stimulus to the local economy.
In excess of 300 sailors competed across 10 different events at the Marseille Marina as part of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
In addition to the sailors and team officials, Townsville can expect to benefit from teams preparing ahead of the events and from increased tourism.
The sectors to directly benefit would include the accommodation, hospitality and transportation.
“There are so many positive impacts that this will bring to Townsville,” she said.
“From the spectators view as well, I think it would be great as well, there is just so much positivity if we were to get sailing here.”
Ms Batkovic said the sailing conditions in Townsville were ideal.
“The experts say that the water and the wind up here is great for sailing, so that’s another benefit for the sailors also.”
Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said she was thrilled that “all eyes will be on our city in 2032”.
“Not only is this a great opportunity to showcase our region to the world and bring in athletes and visitors from across the globe, but it will create opportunities for our athletes of tomorrow,” she said.
Ms Greaney said the announcement by Mr Crisafulli was about delivering generational infrastructure and a leaving a “legacy far beyond the 2032 games”.
“I will continue to lobby the state and federal governments for funding for sporting infrastructure that will not only bolster our reputation of the sporting capital of the north, but enhance the opportunities for future generations,” she said.
Mr Crisafulli said 2032 would be the “Queensland Games”.
“These Games are a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver an infrastructure, tourism and grassroots sports legacy to benefit all of Queensland.”
He said that delivering 2032 and Beyond meant building well beyond was required for a couple of weeks of sport.
“This is a plan that builds for our future, ensuring regional communities continue to benefit for decades to come.”
The government recommitted to delivering Bruce Highway upgrades as part of the $9 billion investment between Brisbane and Cairns.
The funding, split between the Federal and State government, has previously been announced.
“Come 2032, through better connectivity and the right infrastructure, Townsville will be ready to open its doors not only to the Games but to more tourists, more employment and more opportunities,” Mr Crisafulli said.
Townsville Olympian Breiana Whitehead and father Murray Whitehead, secretary of the Townsville Yacht Club, pushed for Townsville to be considered host of the sailing late last year.
Mr Whitehead hailed the “fantastic” and “sensible” news that was set to transform the North Queensland city and provide a mammoth economic stimulus.
“At the time the Olympics are held, Townsville usually has excellent weather, consistent wind and that was a critical limiting factor in the recent Olympics that Breana contested.”
He said teams would be arriving in Townsville well before the Olympics began, even “several years before”, to gain background knowledge about conditions.
“There is increased business activity and as it gets closer a lot of people arrive, a lot of equipment and Townsville will become a supply centre for all the things that they need,” he said.
“Besides that it will be bringing people into the town as spectators because we are fortunate that we’ve got a great venue for spectating, including on Castle Hill.”
Mr Whitehead said he hoped the location would also benefit Australia’s medal prospects, although he could not comment on his daughter’s future aspirations as a kite foiler beyond this year.
He said Australia managed to secure the single gold in Marseille where there was “no wind”.
“Local knowledge always brings locals to the fore and I would expect that there would be a large benefit to Australia,” he said.
“With the Olympics in Australia, sailing will (also) become more popular and competitive and more resources will applied to it because at an international level, it rarely comes to Australia like this.”
Dawson MP Andrew Wilcox said ever since Queensland had been announced the “host state of the 2032 Olympics” he had told all who would listen that the Whitsunday Islands “is the place where the sailing events need to happen”.
“We’re all set up for it and I’m really, really pleased about the announcement today.”
He said the islands were the “perfect location”, already playing host to the Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island race weeks.
“(The region) understands racing and people come from all over the world for this iconic destination,” he said.
“The team has the know-how, there’s the accommodation and all the infrastructure is ready to be used.”
With the Olympics scheduled to be held in the month of July, Mr Wilcox said the weather conditions in the Whitsundays were “perfect for sailing”.
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Originally published as 2032 Brisbane Olympics: Townsville, Whitsundays to co-host sailing
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