Games hopes build as Olympics boss meets with mayors

TOOWOOMBA Mayor Paul Antonio is encouraged by the way a potential bid to host the 2032 Olympic Games in Queensland is progressing.

ENCOURAGING: Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio says he is delighted with how plans are progressing for a potential 2032 Olympic Games bid to be hosted in Southeast Queensland. Picture: Kevin Farmer

TOOWOOMBA Mayor Paul Antonio is encouraged by the way a potential bid to host the 2032 Olympic Games in Queensland is progressing.

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach on Monday met with Southeast Queensland mayors in Brisbane in what was described as a "casual intro” between the parties relating to the potential bid.

"I'm delighted to see the way that it is developing,” Cr Antonio said of the meeting and plans to host the world's biggest sporting event in the state's southeast.

The meeting, which included Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates, Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and former Brisbane mayor Graham Quirk, revealed the operational costs of the games would be cost-neutral, offset by a significant contribution from the IOC.

It follows a feasibility report released in February which estimated hosting the games would cost ratepayers $900 million, which excluded billions needed for roads and public infrastructure.

But Cr Antonio was united with his Southeast Queensland mayoral colleagues in calling for the infrastructure spend regardless of whether the 2032 Olympic Games bid was successful.

"What (the proposal) has meant so far is the People Mass Movement Study which gave us a blueprint for the future of this area in terms of connectivity,” Cr Antonio said.

Mr Bach said he was impressed with the studies and level of preparation under way from the AOC and the Southeast Queensland Council of Mayors in relation to the bid.

"I think that now it is up to the Australians to make their minds up whether they want to host the Olympic Games; if Australia wants to be, once again, host of the world - the entire world,” Mr Bach said.

"The Olympic Games are the only event which unites the entire world at one place, at one time.” - With AAP

Originally published as Games hopes build as Olympics boss meets with mayors