‘Just trust us’: John Coates promises no white elephants from Brisbane Games in 2032

Olympic kingmaker John Coates is asking for more faith from the Queensland government as the IOC vice-president’s attention flips from Paris to the stadium conundrum that faces the 2032 Games.

Two powerful Brisbane Olympic figures have revealed their Paris-inspired plans and say there will be no “white elephants” left in the city after the 2032 Games.

Olympic kingmaker John Coates also said the Brisbane government should just “trust us” as the focus switches to the sporting event in eight years time.

Coates will today step aside from his official duties after the Paris Games to focus all his attention on ensuring that Brisbane Olympics runs smoothly and has promised the city will not be “bankrupted”.

Coates, who is vice president of the Brisbane organising committee, maintains the contentious QEII Stadium will be a new facility and not a refurbished venue. With the state election in October, the powerful Olympic boss says any party should have full confidence in the Brisbane organising committee.

“Just trust us,” Coates said.

John Coates wants the Queensland government to have more trust in the IOC. Picture: Getty Images

“We know the Games. We’ve done it in Australia. We understand the fact that we have to contain the capital costs of the games, and we have measures through games optimization to monitor the costs of operating the games - the last thing we want to do is come to a city and bankrupt the city.

“The last thing we want to do is come to a city and leave white elephants. So I say, if there is a change of government, and an existing government, just trust us we’ve been around this for some time.”

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Coates said the local transport system needs more attention, and said it was the right move to funnel funds into it rather than “overspending” on powerful sporting codes agendas. Instead of rebuilding the Gabba for $2.7 billion, or constructing a new venue for $3.4 billion, the state is currently planning to spend $2 billion on the mostly-temporary Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre stadium plus public transport to get fans there.

$2 billion will be spent on QSAC stadium.

Coates says this is the right move.

“Transport continues to require a lot of attention, and I prefer to see money spent on that transport solution, because that was one of the reasons that the council of mayors supported our bid, and I prefer to see getting that right than overspending on Olympic stadium for the use of cricket and AFL,” Coates said. “Have a look at the main stadium here [in Paris], whose capacity is 65,000 with the middle row of special boxes wasn’t filled. I have no worries that we can fit a new stadium on the old QE II site for athletics [QSAC] - around 40 to 45,000 … transport is an issue at the moment - but that can be done - it’s not going to create a problem. And the solution of Suncorp will work very well.”

The Paris games had some fantastic venues. Picture: Getty Images

While Paris has delivered some extraordinary facilities including beach volleyball under the Eiffel Tower, they have also used existing infrastructure.

“The other thing is, yes, they’ve got these iconic venues here, but many of the venues are not large or the latest, whatever, and so there’s been a mixture, there’s been some wonderful venues, but we’ll match those,” Coates said.

La Defense, with its drop in pool, and Bercy Arena being two existing venues that have been used for these Paris Olympics.

The swimming in Paris was held at La Defense Arena. Picture: AFP

Coates’ replacement on the IOC and Brisbane 2032 deputy chair Ian Chesterman said Paris has shown how an urban park environment, clustering sports in a central area, works well to engage the locals.

Here in Paris skateboarding, 3x3 basketball, BMX freestyle, climbing and breaking have been at La Concorde, not far from the Trocadéro gardens in Paris where 20,000 people have swarmed to greet olympic medalists each day.

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For the Brisbane olympics, parties near the beach with a barbecue vibe might be even considered.

“Having a few sports together and to get that energy around the venues to create an experience in itself is important so that everyone can tough the Games,’’ Chesterman said.

“Those that can’t get a ticket can still feel part of the Games, even being roadside for the cycling, road walks and marathon is great to bring the games to the people.’’

Skateboarding, 3x3 basketball, BMX freestyle, climbing and breaking were hosted at La Concorde in Paris. Picture: Getty Images

Brisbane Organisers will also look at Paris’ mass participation public run of the marathon route and the pre-cycle of the Tour de France route.”

Chesterman also noted the “ridiculously great results of the Australian team, noting it will be a challenge to keep doing that through to Brisbane.

Coates also says the enthusiasm of the Australian sports mad public is a strength of the country.

“We’ve had all these beautiful, iconic venues here, and whatever we can certainly in Australia with, we can certainly match the enthusiasm of the public,” Coates said. “I think the Australian public understands and loves sport as much as any other country in the world, and I think that was highlighted in the ratings of the opening ceremony.

“The first day 10 million people switched on the opening ceremony, and it was out of 23 million. The Americans were very happy with the figure of, I think they were about 23,000,00 for a country of 80 million, we love our sport…we don’t have to win that battle.”

Originally published as ‘Just trust us’: John Coates promises no white elephants from Brisbane Games in 2032