IOC boss Thomas Bach responds to Queensland’s cut-price Olympic Games

John Coates and Graham Quirk have been requested to appear before a Senate Inquiry into Brisbane’s Olympics “circus”, as IOC supremos break their silence over the 2032 plans.

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Olympics powerbroker John Coates and venue infrastructure reviewer Graham Quirk have been requested to appear before a Senate Inquiry into Brisbane’s Olympic Games “circus”.

The Inquiry into Australia’s Preparedness to host the Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Games will hold a hearing in Brisbane on April 17 following the release of the Quirk Report.

It comes as the International Olympic Committee says it is up to the people of Brisbane to determine if a new stadium is built or not for the 2032 Games – but the experience for athletes must be the priority.

IOC President Thomas Bach and Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi have spoken for the first time after significant backlash against the Queensland Government’s decision to ignore a $450,000 review to build a new stadium at Victoria Park.

Premier Steven Miles sensationally claimed IOC powerbroker John Coates suggested the government spend $1.6 billion to upgrade the Queensland Sport and Athletic Centre at Nathan because the bid was put forward on the basis existing facilities would be used.

But the IOC bosses, speaking overnight after an executive board meeting in Switzerland, said it was up to the people of Brisbane to decide if a new stadium was built.

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach has responds to Queensland’s cut-price Olympic Games. Picture: Fabrice Coffrini

“ … as far as we’re concerned, this is a choice that has to be made by the local communities, and we will obviously adapt whatever the size of that stadium will be, and whatever the location will be,” Mr Dubi said.

“What is of central importance, though, is that the experience for the athletes and the participant remain.

“And as far as we are concerned, this is the only guiding principle that we have established, and we have received full assurance that it would be the case.”

Queensland Senator Matt Canavan on Thursday said the Premier had committed to following the advice of the report but “has now backflipped”.

“At this stage we don’t know if they’re going to be putting on a good Olympic Games but they’re certainly putting on a good circus,” he said.

“These hearings are vital to ensuring the public scrutiny is put on the administration of these games to make sure that Australia upholds its reputation as one of the leaders of global events.”

Olympic Boss John Coates. John Feder/The Australian.

Shadow Infrastructure Minister Bridget McKenzie said Mr Quirk’s review had exposed the state and federal government’s failure to “properly investigate infrastructure options” for the 2032 Games.

“Recommendations made last year in the inquiry’s interim report have been validated by Mr Quirk’s review and his insight of the infrastructure necessary for a successful Games needs to be put on the record,” she said.

“We all want to see a successful Games, but time is running out for legacy transport infrastructure to be built on time and on budget.”

The inquiry was launched in September last year and is due to report on October 31.

Mr Bach referred to Brisbane’s candidature to make use of existing stadiums in line with the Olympic agenda 2020, and said he held no major concerns currently.

“I understand from today’s discussion, that there are some scenarios being discussed now after this independent review,” he said.

“But at this moment in time, I think we are all aligned with these principles, so I do not have this moment, any major concern.”

Premier Steven Miles has come under major fire for ignoring an independent review and pushing ahead on upgrading at Nathan venue. Picture: Glenn Campbell

When asked about his involvement in government decision making Mr Coates, speaking from Switzerland on Monday, said he was only “reminding them” of obligations to the IOC having existing stadiums as part of their bid.

“I am the IOC member in Australia and it’s my duty to remind them the basis upon which they bid for the games,” he told The Courier-Mail.

“The IOC went ahead and on the basis of its requirements of existing or planned venues, moved us up.”

Mr Dubi said pride should be taken in the games consistently delivering for the host community.

“We said that the games would adapt to the local conditions, it was also the case that the maximum use of existing or temporary venues would be made,” he said.

“And of course, in this we have no judgement of value with respect to the final venue that will be used.”

Christophe Dubi, the IOC executive Games director has responded to Brisbane Olympics concerns.

The director was pushed on if the footprint of the Olympic Games was shrinking by having Brisbane deliver the smallest stadium since the Amsterdam games in 1928.

“If you would ask probably the top athletes they would certainly say that a smaller but absolutely full venue with incredible atmosphere is probably larger than a big Cathedral, which is only half full,” he said.

”Size does not matter, what really is important is to consider the legacy, the choice of the given community, as far as the IOC and the Federation’s we do adapt, we don’t have minimum standards anymore.”

He said removing the requirement to build “huge venues” could be why so many cities are interested in hosting future games.

“Because they know they don’t have to build huge venues – existing or temporary – whatever the size, we will adapt,” he said.

The Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre at Mount Gravatt would be the smallest Olympics stadium in more than 100 years.

On Thursday morning, federal sport minister and member for Lilley, Queensland, Anika Wells said while it was disappointing the games preparation had played out the way it has, she believed it will be the state’s “coming of age”

“It’s a shame that things have come to this point where Queensland is, and Australians are, unhappy with where things are at in terms of the preparation for the games,” she told the Today show.

“We don’t want that, I want people to be looking forward to this, I know as a Queenslander I was so proud when we became the host city.”

She acknowledged athletes’ concerns about the potential hindrance their medal prospects and said that the federal and state government would need to work on a new agreement.

Minister for Sport Anika Wells acknowledged concerns raised by athletes. Picture: Martin Ollman

“That is something that I’ll be raising and it sort of speaks to the broader question this week, which is that we all need a lot more detail about what this new format and what this new proposal looks like,” she said.

“From the federal government’s perspective, we need the costings … we will now, I can tell you, have to vary and sign a new intergovernmental agreement between the Queensland Government and the Australian Government.”

Ms Wells said smaller venues were the “new norm” introduced by the IOC in a changing world where taxpayers will not accept previous amounts spent on sports infrastructure funding.

“Brisbane is the smallest city to ever have been awarded the host city rights for the Olympic Games, we wouldn’t have got it but for the new norm protocols which the IOC have put in place,” she said.

“We are supposed to refurbish existing venues first and I imagine that’s what has led the premier to the Queensland Government’s decision and that is theirs to own.”