Brisbane Olympics 2032: Li Cunxin AO calls for end to infighting

The man who turned Queensland Ballet into an international powerhouse has called for an end to the war over the 2032 Olympics, urging politicians show courage and “think beyond the Games”.

• Opinion: Time to think big

One of the state’s most eminent cultural figures has declared it is “inexcusable” for politicians to have a “small vision” for Queensland’s 2032 Games, urging leaders to build something “truly spectacular”.

Li Cunxin AO, who as artistic director of Queensland Ballet sat on an influential committee that backed Brisbane’s bid, said the state must “avoid white elephants” and embrace a long-term, legacy vision. The searing comments add another powerful voice of rejection to the current plan to invest mega-cash in Nathan's QSAC stadium.

In an extraordinary personal reflection, Mr Li – credited with transforming the state’s ballet company into an internationally recognised success – said: “If I had made small decisions, I would hate myself forever.

“I would feel I would have cheated the community, and never forgiven myself for not having the courage and determination, the vision to build something great.”

Li Cunxin AO has called for an end to political infighting over the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games. Picture: Glenn Hunt

Mr Li – famously known as Mao’s Last Dancer following his so-titled 2003 memoir – was drawing a reference between the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and his own legacy project, the Thomas Dixon Centre in West End.

The historic site underwent a stunning expansion in 2022 to become a world-class performing arts and cultural precinct, in addition to being home to Queensland Ballet, with funding from the State Government, philanthropists and corporate donors.

“We should not be having short-term vision and never be influenced by political factors,” he said.

“It must be about how it will impact the community for years to come; it is not about the current cost of living crisis.

“There are various choices,” Mr Li said, regarding stadiums including QSAC at Nathan, “but the one thing I do urge is to avoid at all costs white elephant projects that are not easily or widely used and where there is no infrastructure.”

The 63 year old, who retired from public life in December, still keeps a watchful eye on his beloved adopted city while spending more time at the beach bodysurfing and travelling with wife Mary.

From 2019 until 2022 he sat on the advisory council of the Committee For Brisbane, alongside other heavy hitters including Steve Wilson (chair of Racing Queensland) and Harvey Lister (chair of ASM Global APAC).

“I was on the committee when it made a very concerted and enthusiastic push for the Olympics,” he said.

“I was really elated that we got it and had plenty of time to plan for something truly spectacular and impactful … I thought, we can really do this properly, but obviously now a few years have passed and there is still fighting.

“To me, it is really disheartening and frustrating – leaders are not willing to make tough and bold decisions ... but they must have strong convictions, whether right or wrong, that’s what voters want.”

Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre at Nathan.

A vision of a flagship Olympics stadium at Victoria Park.

Mr Li urged politicians to “think beyond the Games”.

“I’ve advocated very strongly all along that the best Olympics are not just about sports – they’re also about arts and culture.”

He said mid-way through renovating the Thomas Dixon Centre he realised the initial $15m makeover wouldn’t suffice so pushed for a venue six times the size, which cost over $100m.

“It would have been irresponsible to do it and 10-15 years later say, ‘Oops, it’s not big enough or grand enough’, that we grew out of that space, so while it was over our budget and a big deal at the time, I decided consciously that we had only one chance to do this well.

“To have had a small vision would be inexcusable – this is the same situation, I would say, we are facing with the Games”.

The Thomas Dixon Centre was more than 50 per cent funded by the State Government, with substantial investment by private donors including the Melbourne-based Ian Potter Foundation and Queensland’s Talbot family, and capital partners.

“What we got was the best building for dance companies anywhere in the world – this is not what I’m saying but what international choreographers, stagers and teachers are saying,” Mr Li said.