Perfect opportunity for city to capitalise on ‘Greatest show on Earth’

With this week’s announcement of the 2032 Olympics to be staged in Brisbane, Ipswich is presented with the opportunity of a lifetime to improve its facilities and inspire its talented athletes, writes David Lems

Ipswich swimmer Heath Ramsay displays the euphoria of qualifying for an Olympic Games in his home country. He won the 200m butterfly final at the 2000 Olympic Selection Trials in Sydney. Picture: Brett Faulkner.

OPINION

EVEN Nostradamus would struggle to predict what the world will be like when Queensland hosts the 2032 Olympics.

But there are at least two certainties, the Olympics can provide many lasting benefits to Ipswich and lift community spirit.

Having covered the Sydney 2000 Olympics, I saw first hand what is experienced before and during the Games.

Most memorable was the joy the Olympics provided in my home country, especially the way Australia responded to the challenge and hosted the best Games ever staged.

Moving around the Olympic venues, I heard universal praise for how well “our Games’’ were run, the amazing interaction led by volunteers, and how overseas visitors soaked up Australia’s welcoming culture.

To have Brisbane as the base for the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics is a massive opportunity for our proud sporting and historically precious city.

Here’s 25 reasons securing the 2032 Olympics can create massive benefits for the Ipswich region.

1. IMPROVED INFRASTRUCTURE:We should receive long overdue improvements to the Ipswich Motorway, Centenary Highway and M1 routes to the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, but the Olympics should also strengthen the city’s argument for drastic improvements to the Cunningham Hwy at Amberley and the Mt Crosby-Warrego Hwy interchange, for example.

While those transport thoroughfares will be busy during the Games, we will receive long-lasting daily commute and travel benefits from the State and Federal Government upgrade projects.

The Olympics should also give projects like the North Ipswich Reserve a kick along.

2. MOTIVATIONAL ADVANTAGES:Having an Olympics so close to Ipswich would inspire a whole generation of young people to train harder and smarter.

At the Sydney Olympics, we had proud Ipswich born and bred competitors like swimmer Heath Ramsay represent Australia at the highest level.

Imagine someone like emerging star Jude Thomas being able to showcase his stamina in front of family and friends at an Olympics on home soil. Or for us being able to cheer on a multitude of other talented Ipswich athletes.

Ipswich could use the Olympics to dramatically boost its sporting focus to help our most promising prospects achieve their elite goals.

3. IPSWICH AS A HOST: With Ipswich listed to stage the modern pentathlon and possibly some preliminary football matches, international teams will be looking to set up pre-Games training bases at the North Ipswich Reserve or Briggs Road Sporting complex. Mayor Teresa Harding is also keen to see Ipswich secure some boxing and weightlifting events.

Ipswich Hockey has hosted games involving teams from The Netherlands and India in past years, proving elite international contingents will come to use our facilities. Hotels and local businesses were major beneficiaries.

We now also have the impressive Springfield Central Sports Complex, Ipswich Cycle Park and international standard Ipswich BMX track at Willey Park as attractive options for overseas teams wanting pre-Games preparation.

The Ipswich BMX Club’s international standard new facility at Willey Park. Picture: Gary Reid

Other synthetic surfaces at our nearby universities could also be used by teams warming up for the Games. The Ipswich Turf Club infield could assist equestrian teams with their preparations.

Ipswich City Council needs to quickly finalise our sports facility list and start working with the Queensland Government and local associations to bring international teams to our city.

4. SPORTING SPECTACULAR: Ipswich residents will have more than 30 sports and hundreds of world-class events to enjoy on our doorstep. It will be the only chance such a mega sporting and social juggernaut will be offered in our lifetime.

Ipswich swimmer Heath Ramsay celebrates after winning the men's 200m butterfly final at the 2000 Olympic Selection Trials. Picture: Brett Faulkner.

5. WONDERFUL ACCESS: Having Olympic events within an hour or two of Ipswich would give Ipswich residents a once in a lifetime chance to catch public transport to multiple events. Post Covid, imagine enjoying a train or bus ride to the Games and having incredible viewing experiences in the venues decked out in colourful flags, with high-powered music and lots of smiling spectators.

6. PRE-GAMES EXCITEMENT: Remember the 2000 Olympic Torch Relay and how much community enjoyment that created at the major celebration in Limestone Park? Thousands of people shared in a wonderful night of civic pride in Ipswich on June 13, 2000. Having south east Queensland hosting the Games would deliver widespread opportunities for new community events.

The Olympic Torch Relay in Ipswich

7. VOLUNTEERS PARADISE: Having an Olympic Games so close would provide limitless opportunities for volunteers to get involved in a range of roles in many sports.

In Sydney, we had experienced people like Bernadette Gotting helping out at the State Hockey Centre. Highly motivated Ipswich resident Leigh Reis was also part of the “Olympic army’’, working in the Main Press Centre.

Bernadette Gotting.

8. VALUABLE EXPERIENCE: Apart from volunteers, Ipswich coaches and officials could also gain invites to help national teams prepare or serve at the Games and Paralympics.

In Sydney, Ipswich had international officials like Geoff and Stella Barclay, Trish Kinnane and Des Johnston fulfilling vital roles.

That created immense pride in Ipswich and showed other regional officials what they too can strive for.

Ipswich chief judges Stella and Geoff Barclay at the Sydney Olympics.

9. MENTAL HEALTH BREAK: Watching the Olympics, and Australia’s medal successes in particular, would help people share in the euphoria and forget about the problems of the world. Being a part of the Olympic spirit can significantly bolster a person’s mood and health.

10. STAR GAZING: Being an Olympics, any number of famous people could turn up enjoying a coffee in our area or simply visiting Ipswich to get away from the Athletes Village. Imagine an NBA star or world record holder in our city having a break from competition or training. The Olympics would also attract other personalities and high flyers who could find their way into our relaxed city shops or eateries.

11. NORTH IPSWICH RESERVE UPGRADE: While infrastructure in general around Ipswich is likely to be improved, the city will now have a stronger case to secure funding for projects like the Reserve. What a massive sporting boost that would be the city after we have waited so long for the upgrade.

12. LIVE SCREENING: Even though the major Olympic events will be outside Ipswich, the city can set up fun zones like Tulmur Place in the CBD or at the Springfield Parklands. These areas could become party central areas for the duration of the Games, supported by entertainment, markets and community activities.

13. ECONOMIC BOOST: Ipswich could benefit from attracting visitors to the city during the Olympics and Paralympics. Apart from a short-term impact, Ipswich could be included in south east Queensland tourism campaigns that will put the city in the spotlight for years to come after the Games. The Games present a perfect time to showcase Ipswich’s many attractions to the world.

14. NEAT FOCUS: With an Olympics comes the parallel priority of cleaning up and presenting a welcoming city knowing the vast number of visitors who could see what Ipswich offers. A campaign to maintain our beautiful parks and encourage households to tidy up would be hugely beneficial.

15. NATIONAL PRIDE: Joining other Australians at the Games will reinforce our national wellbeing and provide a range of positive outcomes.

Flashback to being there for the Sydney Olympics excitement.

16. CITY SUCCESSES: Having an Olympics so close to Ipswich will revive many past sporting successes from regional achievers. That will put the spotlight on Ipswich’s current elite performers and relive memories of where our city competitors shone at past Games.

17. BUILDING HARMONY: Proactive programs before and during the Olympics can build on and improve relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Look what Cathy Freeman achieved for a nation lighting the Olympic cauldron and winning a 400m gold medal in Sydney. Other dedicated community-minded people from Ipswich can get involved to enhance Indigenous traditions and help their sports men and women share in the Olympic experience.

18. NEW STANDARDS: Being there when the world’s leading sportspeople set new world or Olympic records leaves a lasting impression. Who can forget the deeds of Ian Thorpe, Susie O’Neill and Kieren Perkins? Or our Aussie athletes who won unexpected medals competing at home? People will ask for years to come: “Where were you when . . . at the Brisbane Olympics?’’

19. PATRIOTIC CEREMONIES: If Ipswich people are able to get tickets to the opening and closing ceremonies, they will witness an incredible show of Aussie pride, history and talent. There is also elements of surprise to savour. And there’s every chance there will be lots of “Oi, Oi, Oi’’ chants and maybe a Mexican wave to get the crowd going.

20. TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES: Having an Olympics in your home state fast-tracks new technology and ways of communicating. While many Ipswich businesses could benefit from these new skills, our modern suburb Springfield is specifically set up to continue its innovative lead.

21. TEAM WORK: Working on projects and business plans leading up to an Olympics creates new partnerships and associations that can provide longer-term benefits. Ipswich leaders need to drive and facilitate this push to capitalise on multiple benefits for the city.

Flashback to the Sydney Olympics excitement.

22. WELCOME THE WORLD: Ipswich residents will get to experience different cultures watching events and seeing how international teams go about their business.

23. WONDERFUL MEMORIES: Like everyone from the Ipswich area who shared in Expo 88, Olympic Games participants will look back on the Games with countless stories to share.

24. SHOW OUR STRENGTHS: By being involved in a range of pre-Olympic and Olympic events, Ipswich people can demonstrate their talents in sport, business, culture and civic disciplines.

25. THE LEGACY: Apart from boosts to community and national pride, the Olympics will bring infrastructure and tourism benefits for years to come. Ipswich needs to capitalise on every aspect of business, marketing and job creation to prepare for more events and economic opportunities a successful Olympics will create in the future.