Make it fun, make it Brisbane: What legends want from Olympics

There’s less than eight years until the Brisbane Olympics. Here’s what some Queensland icons believe need to be done to make it a success.

Stop scratching your chin Brisbane. The clock is ticking. Time to rise and shine.

There’s less than eight years until the Brisbane Olympics and, as former Olympic champion Glynis Nunn says, “it’s time for some clear thinking.’’

As the Queensland Government interviews far and wide in its 100-day Olympic review we asked Nunn and three other Olympic experts to declare their dreams for Games and beyond.

This story is part of The Courier-Mail’s annual Future Brisbane series advocating for a focus on the right legacy outcomes from the hosting of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. You can read all of our coverage here.

JUST CHILL OUT

Susie O’Neill (Two-time Olympic gold medal winner)

Former swimming golden girl O’Neill was watching a replay of the Sydney Olympic ceremonies recently and it reminded her the best Games aren’t perfect – they’re fun.

“Life’s for living,’’ O’Neill said. “I watched Peter Garrett sing Beds are Burning and Yothu Yindi sing Treaty in Sydney and everyone was somehow dancing in time with those polystyrene six pack eskys in their hands.

Susie O'Neill wants the Games to be fun. Photo: Claudia Baxter.

“It was not choreographed to perfection like the Beijing Olympics or ceremonial like Athens and it felt a bit daggy but it was fun.

“People are going on and on about stadiums but I heard someone on radio saying they wish that talk would go away and I am getting close to that point myself. In 2032 I’d love to get that fun Australian vibe they had in Sydney - and getting more kids to play sport.’’

BE OURSELVES

Glynis Nunn (1984 Olympic heptathlon gold winner)

How do you follow Games like London and Paris? Glynis Nunn says you don’t.

“I don’t think we can follow London and Paris because we are not London and Paris. We need to be ourselves and showcase what we have. Be yourself.’’

She also has a warning on legacy venues and saying let’s not put the cart ahead of the horse.

“They have wasted a lot of money and time. It’s time for some clear thinking.’

Glynis Nunn said Brisbane needed to be itself. Picture Glenn Hampson

“I’m concerned – there have been no decisions made. I remember on the Gold Coast when we had the Commonwealth Games we made decisions and there were priorities nine years out.”

SPEND UP

Mark Stockwell (Olympic swimming silver medallist)

Stockwell - swimmer, tireless fundraiser, building boss, and respected former Gold Coast Commonwealth Games boss - reckons governments have got their spending back the front.

“We are investing in $13 billion hospital projects but I would like to see us invest in $13 billion sports projects so health and activity drives us and we can avoid being a sick society,’’ Stockwell said.

“We have got this arse about. Everyone is fixated on the Olympic costs. What we have got to focus on is the revenues. By doing it right and changing the status of our city forever it will drive revenues far greater than we ever imagined.

Mark Stockwell wants Brisbane to get its priorities right. Photo: Glenn Hunt / The Australian

“I also love the thought of a meaningful legacy after the Olympics – for footy, cricket, women’s sport and tourism, for everything we do because with mental health the way it is people need sport more than ever. I do business from Mackay to the border and everyone is saying ‘we want to be proud, we don’t want to be embarrassed’.

“I agree. We are hosting a great event but will we need things in the right places and spaces.’’

KEEP IT TIGHT

Jamie Dwyer (Olympic hockey gold medallist)

Rockhampton raised Dwyer appreciates Brisbane is a regional Games but he craves a tight, fizzing inner sanctum with an electric crackle that ignites the city with a vibe like no other.

“The best Games I have been to – London was an example – had big venues close to each other and that just made it so special and almost like a big party,’’ Dwyer said.

Jamie Dwyer wants venues to be close together. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

“I would love to see people going on River Cats and ferries from the golf at Royal Queensland to a new big stadium in the city, to the basketball and swimming close by and central main stadium like Victoria Park would be unreal.’’