2032 Olympic Games: Talks to start soon on Sunshine Coast’s Olympic marathon track
Major event organisers say the Sunshine Coast hosting the 2032 Olympic Games marathon events is a “dream come true” and a way to put the region on the international stage.
Sunshine Coast
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Confirmation the Sunshine Coast will host the 2032 Olympic Games marathon events has major event organisers dreaming big for how to best showcase a 42km stretch of the region.
Sunshine Coast Marathon organiser Jason Crowther said hosting the men’s and women’s 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games marathon events was a huge coup for the region.
Mr Crowther said the Sunshine Coast Marathon organisers – Atlas Events – hoped to be involved in the 2032 Olympic Marathon task force, which would be formed after the August 15 Sunshine Coast Marathon.
He said the Olympic event would attract 20,000 people but also be an opportunity to showcase the region to countless international viewers.
The Olympic marathon would start and finish from Alexandra Headland and be a one-lap course.
Mr Crowther said the Sunshine Coast Marathon would likely use the same route to trial it in the years leading up to the Games.
The event has traditionally followed a multi-lap course.
“We need to talk closely with them to make sure our event mimics the long-term plan for the 2032 Games,” Mr Crowther said.
“We would want to use that course as soon as possible and start promoting it and trialling it to ensure it test it logistically.”
He said the Olympic marathon would “put the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane on the international stage”.
“We would have to lengthen our course to a one-loop track so potentially we could use the (Maroochydore) city centre and push it north out towards Bli Bli,” he said.
“They’ll want to keep it fast and flat and from a council point of view they will want to showcase the region.”
Mr Crowther said similar numbers would be expected at the Sunshine Coast Marathon in coming years because athletes would want to get familiar with the Olympic track.
“For me and my team it’s a dream come true to play some role in the Olympics,” Mr Crowther said.
The Sunshine will host several other events including cycling, kiteboarding and have an athlete’s village located at the Maroochydore City Centre.
Sunshine Coast division eight councillor Jason O’Pray said there was also an exciting opportunity for pre-event competitions in the lead up to the Olympics.
“In the 10 to 11-year block before we race, there will be meets where internationals will come and run to practice on the course,” he said.
“There will then be the athletes who come and get acclimatised in the lead up to the event.”
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