Brisbane 2032 poaches top IOC official in ‘huge coup’

Brisbane 2032 has poached one of the International Olympic Committee’s most senior officials to head up the Games’ sports program.

Kit McConnell, who was appointed IOC sports director in 2013, will return home in July to take up the same role for the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Brisbane 2032 chief executive Cindy Hook said McConnell brought “an incredible level of experience” to the role, which would place the interests of athletes at the centre of every aspect of Games planning and delivery.

The IOC’s Kit McConnell will take up the role of Brisbane 2032’s chief sport officer in July.Credit: Marianna Massey/Getty Images

“In his new role, Kit will be responsible for designing our sport program, including the consideration of additional sports, and will lead our engagement with the international federations and national Olympic and Paralympic committees,” she said.

“Having worked within the Olympic movement for over two decades and as the IOC’s sports director for the last 11 years is a huge advantage for our team and for the athletes who will compete in 2032.”

McConnell, a dual Australian and New Zealand national, will start his Brisbane 2032 role on July 21, three weeks after leaving IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

“I am a proud Queenslander and looking forward to returning home after many years overseas,” McConnell said.

“I have fond memories of my time working as part of the Sydney 2000 Games Organising Committee and I never thought I’d have another chance to be part of a second home Games.

“The honour and opportunity are immense.”

Organising committee president Andrew Liveris said the time was right for McConnell’s appointment, as the development of the Brisbane 2032’s sports program would be a priority for the next 12 to 18 months.

“Having had extensive conversations with most of the international federations and many committees during the Paris 2024 Games and since, I know how critical it is to provide constant planning and progress updates and to build good relationships with these key stakeholders,” he said.

“The fact that Brisbane 2032 has been able to secure the IOC sports director to lead our sport function is a huge coup.”

McConnell said he could not wait to get started.

“The governance, strategy and Games plan are embedded, and I have no doubt we will deliver an Olympic and Paralympic Games for Brisbane, Queensland and Australia to be proud of, promoting equality and inclusion across athletes, and an unrivalled Games experience for participants and fans alike,” he said.

During his tenure with the IOC, McConnell had to navigate the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Games and was instrumental in introducing youth-oriented sports, such as BMX and skateboarding, to the Games roster.

Before his time with the IOC, McConnell was head of the Rugby World Cup for 10 years.

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