Hosting the 2032 Olympics would be a golden opportunity for Queensland

The economic benefit and the worldwide exposure you get for an event like the Olympic Games far outweighs the expenditure, writes Peter Gleeson.

WHEN Cathy Freeman came off the top turn and burst to the front in the 400m final at the Sydney Olympics, those who were there that night say the roar will stay with them forever.

Then came the tears as Australia – which had held its breath for the 46 seconds it took Freeman to win – acknowledged the destiny of a young aboriginal woman winning on the biggest stage in sport, in front of her home crowd.

That was the year 2000 and exactly 44 years earlier, it was another golden girl, Betty Cuthbert, who stole the show at the Melbourne Olympics, winning three athletics gold medals as once again Australia rejoiced. As a nation, we have a strong and enduring Olympic tradition.

Australia’s Cathy Freeman crosses the line to win gold in the Women’s 400m Final during the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Picture: Mike Powell/Allsport

With a population dwarfed by China, Russia, the US and the bigger EU countries, we always manage to punch above our weight, invariably finishing in the top 10 on the medal count. We are a sports-loving country, blessed with wonderful weather and opportunities for our young athletes.

On my Sky News show The Front Page this past week, I interviewed a young swimmer, Ariarne Titmus, 18, who will line up at the Tokyo Olympics next year and is a genuine chance in the 400m-800m and will likely swim the 4 x 200m relay for Australia. Formerly of Tasmania, her family moved to Queensland when she was 14 to give her every opportunity to shine in the pool. And shine she has, winning gold at the Commonwealth Games, the world short course championships and finishing second to Katie Ledecky, the brilliant American, at the Pan Pacs in the 400m. Their rivalry in Tokyo will be worth the admission price alone.

What struck me about Titmus was her demeanour. She is a class act and it was obvious that the discipline of being an elite athlete, and the fact she is now a role model for young swimmers, has transitioned her into a wonderful young Australian.

Ariarne Titmus, 18, will be part of the Australian swim team at the Tokyo Olympics next year. Picture: Getty

Winning gold for the country that has given her an opportunity to be an elite athlete “would mean everything’’, she said. It would also repay the faith her parents had in moving from Tasmania, their home, to give her a greater shot at glory. Which brings me to the reason Queensland must have a shot at hosting the 2032 Olympics.

We are a Lucky Country. We have proven that we are capable and good at hosting the Olympic Games. A report out this week identified Brisbane and the Gold and Sunshine Coasts as having a “compelling’’ case to host an Olympics in 2032.

As health experts constantly warn of the dangers of obesity rates in our kids, what better way to motivate the younger generation than to shoot for the stars by competing in a homegrown Olympic Games.

Brisbane is on the move with plans for a $5 billion Cross River Rail system, a $3 billion CBD project called Queen’s Wharf, a second airport runway, new cruise ship terminal and 17,000 seat entertainment centre in the heart of the city. All by 2024. Australia needs to get behind the Queensland Olympic bid.

We offer a safe, secure, professional environment. People will say what about the cost? Organisers say they can do it for less than $1 billion with existing infrastructure. But who cares about the cost?

The economic benefit and the worldwide exposure you get for an event like that far outweighs the expenditure. And best of all, there’s an eight year old boy or girl in Australia right now who may well emulate the deeds of Cathy Freeman or Betty Cuthbert. What could be better than winning Olympic gold in front of your own people? That is priceless.