QSAC a white knight not a white elephant says Australian Olympic boss

The Brisbane 2032 stadium conundrum continues to grow as the Australian Olympic boss hits back at critics, while backing the government’s decision to upgrade the Games’ most controversial stadium.

Australia’s Olympic president Ian Chesterman has taken aim at critics of the Brisbane 2032 Games and thrown his support behind its most controversial venue.

Chesterman has strongly endorsed the decision by the Queensland Government to upgrade the antiquated QSAC venue at Mt Gravatt as the home of athletics at the Games.

The venue has essentially been a white elephant since hosting the opening ceremony and the athletics in the 1982 Commonwealth Games but is scheduled for a major refurbishment if the wishes of the Queensland Government are granted.

“We support the redevelopment of QSAC, subject to the feasibility and costing work currently underway,’’ Chesterman said in a statement.

Former Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, in a special review for the Queensland Government, said he did not favour going to QSAC because he felt it lacked a meaningful legacy but Chesterman feels its contribution to the athletics scene after the Games justifies the move.

“Athletics brings more than 750,000 active participants to QSAC annually, and the upgrade would provide a modern track and field centre that can host local, national and international events long into the future.

QSAC Stadium from the air. Picture: Darren England

“The AOC has taken a strong position that we do not need the Gabba redeveloped for Brisbane 2032, nor do we support a replacement stadium being built

specifically in time - “for the Games.’’

“If Queensland and Brisbane decide they need a new stadium in the future for the AFL, as an

entertainment venue and for cricket, that’s up to them. But it’s not a requirement for the Olympic Games.’’

The decision to plump for QSAC, a decision which will be reviewed after this year’s state election, has drawn criticism from former Olympians including track queen Raelene Boyle, who starred at the Commonwealth Games.

Raelene Boyle is not a supporter of hosting the Olympics at QSAC. Picture: Getty Images

“The only thing going for it is there is already a track there,’’ she told this masthead.

“I don’t think it will be a great place to have track and field because it’s old. It is a small stadium and it will have to be revamped dramatically.”

Chesterman feels the Games in general will leave a significant legacy.

“Sadly, in the past year, and in particular the past few months, we have seen a lot of negativity around aspects of the Games, focused mainly around venues and the physical legacy of Brisbane hosting the Olympics,’’ Chesterman said.

“If we get Brisbane right, by empowering our sports to run world class programs, we know they will create the future champions in Brisbane who will ignite the dreams of young Australians for decades to come.

“This country has been incredibly well served by our Olympic successes - building our international reputation and pride, building social cohesion and inspiring, motivating kids in cities, towns and regions right across the nation to get active, to be part of a local club, a community, to be part of something bigger than themselves.”

Originally published as QSAC a white knight not a white elephant says Australian Olympic boss