Coates: Generation next will power Australia to Brisbane bliss

Olympic kingmaker John Coates believes Brisbane’s legacy will ultimately be determined by medals. He thinks the new generation of stars can deliver Australia unparralled success.

John Coates has his sights set high for vision. Photo: Jacquelin Magnay

Olympic kingmaker John Coates craves a tourism bonanza for Queensland, for Australia to win 30 gold medals and a sports academy that could be the envy of the world among his dreams for 2032.

The outgoing IOC Vice-President and Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee director John Coates AC said the Games were an amazing opportunity for money can’t buy exposure.

“It is really important we think of ways over the next eight years to promote Queensland,” he said.

Coates said the historic event would not be judged by profit or loss, only how Australia performed and the podiums.

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Australia's Gout Gout, 16, will be in his athletic prime in Brisbane. Photo: X

He said he had crunched the numbers and thinks Australia could finish top three.

“We finished fourth in terms of gold medals in Sydney,” he said.

“If Russia is not participating in the Brisbane Games, Australia’s target has to be top three behind powerhouses the United States and China.

“I have done the stats.

“To finish third, Australia would have to get around 30 gold medals and 65-plus medals. “That’s what the Brits did in their home Games.”

Coates said he was looking forward to working with the state government to take the Games to regional parts of Queensland.

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 our coverage here

Brisbane’s own Mollie O'Callaghan could be a star of the show in 2032.

He said that while the Australian Institute of Sport was in Canberra, there was a big opportunity to work with the Queensland Academy of Sport – the most successful in the country – to provide pathways for kids living in Cairns, Townsville and Mackay.

“Until it is absolutely necessary I believe kids should be able to prepare in their home regions,” he said.

“A lot of good work can be done there.

“We can set up a pathway that would be the envy of the world.”