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Brisbane wins Olympics bid: QLD to host 2032 Games
Crack the champagne and celebrate. Brisbane has been awarded the 2032 Olympic Games with a massive majority vote. See how the ballot went and what happens next.
Brisbane has won the 2032 Olympic Games.
International Olympic Committee members have been wowed by Australia’s three tiered government financial guarantees - and the sunny skies - to feel confident to award the greatest sporting show on earth to the Queensland capital in 11 years time.
IOC president Thomas Bach’s announcement on Wednesday night at the Okura hotel, where more than 80 members are meeting, will transform Brisbane from an emerging global city into an Olympic powerhouse.
It was a landslide victory.
Of 80 voting cards distributed, three members abstained, 72 voted yes and five voted no.
The endorsement is far higher than predicted in the secret ballot.
Result of the host election for the XXXV Olympiad#IOCSession | #Brisbane2032 pic.twitter.com/Ns8xJg7F5f
— IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) July 21, 2021
In a watershed moment, Brisbane’s six years of meticulous planning culminated in a secret ballot lasting no longer than half an hour.
IOC members were asked if they “agree to elect Brisbane as the host of the Games of the XXXV Olympiad 2032”.
The vote came after a slick and colourful 20 minute final presentation to the members, led by prime minister Scott Morrison in a video link from Canberra and the Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk who had flown to Tokyo especially to eyeball the IOC members.
Brisbane will become just the third Australian capital after Melbourne in 1956 and Sydney in 2000 – and the 24th global city - to host an Olympic Games.
The attention of the world will return to Brisbane in 2032 almost half-a-century to the day since the state-changing 1982 Commonwealth Games.
Sydney’s hugely successful games were still fresh in the minds of IOC members, who took comfort from Australia’s reputation for hosting global events.
The victory was 35 years in the making for Australian Olympic Committee president and IOC vice president John Coates, who spearheaded Brisbane’s failed bid for the 1992 Games back in 1986.
Mr Coates told the members the Brisbane 2032 Olympics would be the “together games”, honouring the new Olympic motto of higher, stronger, faster - together.
He said: “Asking for this honour I assure you Brisbane and Australia understand the Olympic Games are not won, they are served, and the service to Olympic ideals is raising to yourself to be the best you can be… that is as comfortable understanding of people of Brisbane because it’s an authentic one’’.
Mr Coates stressed a Brisbane Games “ will be an expression - unforgettable, enduring and revered olympism - celebrated and served together”.
Before a stirring pitch, Mr Morrison was introduced with Mitch Tambo’s version of John Farnham’s You’re the Voice and drew upon Australia’s history with the Olympic Movement, stressing the country’s multicultural links.
Mr Morrison said the Olympic ethos and values of Australia already resonate, noting how “we are outward looking people” and with “over 300 different ethnic backgrounds similar to a giant size olympic village all together’’.
He drew upon two memories of the Sydney Olympic Games: Cathy Freeman’s 400m victory and Jane Savile’s disqualification in the walk.
“There she was, Cathy Freeman heading down straight with wind at her back.. every town around. Australia you could hear the roar of 60,000 years of history.,’’ he said.
“That night, Cathy, she carried us all, she brought us together, the heart, the soul, the reconciliation advanced a generation in a single night, that’s what Olympics can do.”
He then recalled how Saville had been disqualified, commenting that she was upset for the judge that had to hand her the red card just as she was poised to enter the Olympic stadium in the gold medal position.
“She showed a generation of children that to meet adversity is to dust yourself off and start walking again,’’ reassuring the Olympic Movement that Australia would walk together with the Olympic Movement further again."
There was some opposition to the pitch mainly because of annoyance about the new bid process which Brisbane - fast and furious out of the gate with a ute-load of fully costed master plans - was able to squash other interest from Hungary, Germany, South Korea, Qatar and Indonesia.
The IOC members, who love having an influential role in a country’s development, were impressed that the Brisbane Games would fast track a generation of road and rail infrastructure linking the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast in Queensland’s fast-growing region.
Crucially, Brisbane had provided financial guarantees from all tiers of government, including Canberra, although the official host city contract was to be last night signed by Ms Palaszczuk, the Lord Mayor of Brisbane Adrian Schrinner and Mr Coates.The triumph was in spite of some member backlash against Mr Coates, also the IOC vice president who was seen to be too close to the bid process.
Mr Coates, 71, had been in charge of formulating the new bid rules, where interested regions and countries are invited to begin discussions with an IOC Future Host Commission rather than engage in the hugely expensive competitive lobbying of members.
But Mr Bach insisted Mr Coates had been cognisant of any perception of conflict of interest and had been very careful in excusing him from any discussions relating to the bid process or Brisbane 2032.
An emotional Queensland Olympic Council President and Sydney 2000 gold medalist Natalie Cook said Brisbane would never be the same.
“It’s hard to put into words, after being involved in five Olympics myself and seeing cities transform, what this means for not only Brisbane but the nation,” she said.
“Like there are few athletes who become Olympians, even fewer cities become Olympic cities.
“It’s just mind-blowing and it’s the second-best thing to winning a gold medal.”
Cook, 46, said hosting the Olympic games would be “way bigger” than her gold-medal performance on the sand in Sydney two decades ago.
“This is something that will permeate and infiltrate all corners of the state and the country,” she said.
“It will inspire people to be one step better than they were yesterday.”
Paralympics Australia President Jock O’Callaghan said Brisbane 2032 would reinforce how sport could demonstrate what people with a disability could achieve.
“Over the next decade, as we lead into Brisbane 2032, long term benefits will be realised across Australia, including in employment, skills, education, health and wellbeing outcomes, higher sporting participation rates, and in culture and community connection,” he said.
“We will be guided by a relentless focus on inclusion, diversity and accessibility and we’ll be driven by the Paralympic ideals of determination, equality, inspiration and courage.”
Updates
Who voted no then?
Here is the ballot
Three abstentions, five no votes but an overwhelming backing for Brisbane
Result of the host election for the XXXV Olympiad#IOCSession | #Brisbane2032 pic.twitter.com/Ns8xJg7F5f
— IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) July 21, 2021
CRACK THE CHAMPAGNE!
Crack the champagne Brisbane and Australia the Olympics are coming to us in 11 years!
Fireworks are going off down the river at Southbank, everyone is hugging, cheering and celebrating the moment we have all been waiting for.
Here's the statement from John Coates:
“This is a very proud day for Australia, make no mistake. I thank the IOC Members for their confidence. Brisbane 2032 is genuinely committed to serving the ideals of the Olympic movement.
“The Olympic Games in Brisbane will be in the most diligent, grateful and enthusiastic hands. And I make this commitment to the athletes of the world – we will provide you with an unforgettable experience.
“Of course, many of these athletes are the children of the world right now. Young people who will be glued to their television sets over the next two weeks as the great champions of the world compete here in Tokyo. Many Olympic dreams will be created here in Tokyo, thanks to the generosity of the people of Japan and the commitment of today’s Olympians
“Australia will welcome the world in 2032. South-East Queensland is Australia’s fasting growing region, offering a friendly and culturally diverse people with a passion for sport, first class sporting facilities, excellent transport and a commitment to put the world’s athletes at the centre of everything we do.
“Queensland’s climate, iconic beaches and environmental attractions makes our offering irresistible for athletes, families, friends and sports lovers.”
What a historic moment!
Hey @world looks like we're having a little house party in 2032 and you're all invited 🎉 #Uncaged #Brisbane2032 pic.twitter.com/pI2oNBpXBO
— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) July 21, 2021
We did it!
— AUS Olympic Team (@AUSOlympicTeam) July 21, 2021
The Olympic and Paralympic Games are coming back to Australia. #Brisbane2032@Olympics | @Paralympics | @Queensland | @brisbanecityqld | @ausgov | #SEQMayors | @AUSParalympics pic.twitter.com/6cPxTy32Hv
.@CommGamesAUS congratulates all those involved in the bidding process and our friends at the @AUSOlympicTeam and the @AUSParalympics who have worked tirelessly to bring the @Olympics and @Paralympics back to Australia! 👏🇦🇺💚💛#Brisbane2032 #GreaterTogether pic.twitter.com/MXvWPBnzt3
— Commonwealth Games Australia (@CommGamesAUS) July 21, 2021
The winner is….Brisbane! QLD to host 2032 Olympics
IT'S HAPPENING!!!!!!!
Brisbane has won the 2032 Olympic Games. IOC members have been wowed by Australia’s final pitch and have awarded the greatest sporting show on earth to the Queensland capital in 11 years time.
What's happening?
We've gone from all that pomp and excitement to near silence. the IOC now exits to vote and we will have the live announcement very soon.Meanwhile I'm going to start looking for a new home in QLD – all those videos making it a little too tempting.From my colleague Hayden in Tokyo: Several questions have been asked of the Queensland delegation.Prince Albert opened the questions for the delegation, asking how Queensland would achieve climate-positive games.Mr Schrinner said Brisbane was passionate about the environment and would ensure the Games would be a sustainable one. Committee member Emma Terho asked whether the 20 minute average travel time included all venues.Former President of Hungary Pál Schmitt raised concerns about the length of time before the 2032 Games and insisted the guarantees could change."Politics is politics," he said. Questions have finished and the Australian delegation is leaving the room ahead of one of the most crucial votes in the state's history. IOC members will now conduct a secret ballot to determine whether Brisbane will host the 2032 Olympic Games.
HERE WE GO
The presentations are over. The videos are all done. It's time for the vote and the winner!
You can stream it in the video player above.
UPDATE: Ignore me John Coates is back on stage. Get off the stage John!
Doing us proud
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has stepped onto the most significant stage of her political career – speaking about the diversity of the state, its sporting prowess and welcoming people.
She spoke of Frank Prihoda, Australia's oldest Olympian, who escaped the war-torn Czech Republic and later competed at the 1956 Winter Olympics for his new home country.
Ms Palaszczuk said the Gabba would be the centre of a Brisbane Games – fittingly because its indigenous name means "meeting place".
"In 2032 it will be a symbol for the world to come together," she said.
"I see 2032 as the final stage of the maturing of a stunning place on our planet," she said.
Ms Palaszczuk said most of her adult life had been spent "watching Queensland's star rising in the global sky".
"We believe our best days are still ahead of us," she said.
"Queensland can offer the Olympic movement a safe pair of hands.
"It's beautiful one day and perfect the next."
Historic moments
The Australian delegation has started its final presentation to the International Olympic Committee at the Okura Hotel in Tokyo.
Australian Olympic Committee President John Coates opened the presentation for Australia, telling the IOC members Queensland was the right choice to host the 35th Olympic and 19 Paralympic Games.
"I assure you Brisbane and Australia understand the Olympic Games are not won, they are served… service to the Olympic ideas is service to your sport, your competitions, your country, your community, to your family," he said.
Mr Coates said awarding the Olympic Games to Brisbane would be to put the global movement into the most "diligent, grateful and enthusiastic hands".
"Similar hands to those who offered the friendly games in Melbourne in 1956 and which, in Sydney 2000, delivered what was described as the best ever games," Mr Coates said.
He dubbed Brisbane "the together games".
Prime Minister Scott Morrison followed Mr Coates, declaring he was speaking on behalf of "25 million sports-loving Australians".
"We know what it takes to deliver a successful Games in Australia," he said.
He cited Australia's outward looking and multicultural fabric and declared the country would be a warmly-welcomed one.
"We're like a giant sized Olympic village all together," he said.
"We want to welcome the world to our shores."
Mr Morrison also paid tribute to people working on the Tokyo 2020 Games in the face of challenges.
"They are the games that will say to history yes there were setbacks… but we overcame," he said.
This is pretty historic. First time a city has presented a dual branded Olympic and Paralympic bid. Great work by @AUSParalympics and #Brisbane2032 pic.twitter.com/IbhwHoRirF
— Craig Spence (@craigspence) July 21, 2021
Brisbane flexing its muscle
Brisbane locals gathered in King George Square to watch the announcement on the big screen while donning the green and gold memorabilia.
Breanna Smith, 23, from Strathpine said having the Olympics in southeast Queensland would be an amazing opportunity both locally and internationally.
“We’re finally not just the little sibling to Sydney and Melbourne,” she said.
“We’ve got the infrastructure and resources already here so it will be great to see us get proper use out of it all.”
ScoMo has finally finished his history of Australia and the Olympics. Now we're watching a ripper video of all things that make this country great with some iconic Olympic moments mixed into a remix of John Farnham's The Voice – of course.
Lots of applause and now it's over to Anna.
"It's an honour to represent QLD everyday but especially today. There is a reason we are called the Sunshine State. events will be conducted against some of the best and most beautiful backdrops in the world.
"What cannot be captured in photos are the people of the state. To elders past present and emerging I offer my deepest respect. the 2032 games offer us the opportunity to showcase our heritage.
"The Olympic story is QLD's story, we know the power of sport to lift and unite."
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