Australian Olympic Committee reveals Brisbane relocation plan

Hot on the heels of the Australian Institute of Sport and others, the Australian Olympic Committee has confirmed it will make itself at home in the River City ahead of the 2032 Games.

Australia’s peak Olympic organisation has become the latest major sporting body planning to ramp up its Queensland presence ahead of Brisbane’s 2032 Games.

In a major coup for the state, the Australian Olympic Committee has confirmed it will shift some office operations from Sydney to Brisbane when Games planning ramps up.

Australian Olympic Committee CEO Matt Carroll said the organisation would play a vital role in helping deliver the event and backed calls for the Australian Institute of Sport to be relocated to Queensland.

“As the Games planning starts to progress the Australian Olympic Committee will have a presence there,” he said.

“We will have representatives for sure.”

Mr Carroll said representatives would be required to attend receptions and meetings, with the contract between Queensland and the International Olympic Committee requiring the Australian Olympic Committee to play a key role in planning the Games.

“From our point of view it’s an organisational face with a satellite office there,” he said of the AOC’s early plans.

Water Polo Australia, AusCycling and the AIS have already been touted as organisations that could establish a base in Brisbane.

Mr Carroll backed an investigation into how the Australian Institute of Sport would best serve athletes in the lead-up to Brisbane 2032.

Australian Olympic Committee CEO Matt Carroll

“The AIS, since when it was first founded back in the 1980s, has done a fantastic job,” he said.

“It’s now time to have a good look at the AIS and how it could add further value.

“I think there’s a good argument for perhaps parts of it might go to Queensland – other parts might stay in Canberra.”

Mr Carroll, who has 30 years as a senior sports administrator, praised the state government’s plan to create an elite performance unit within the Queensland Academy of Sport – which will identify talents of young athletes well before Brisbane’s Olympics.

“To have a successful Games the home team needs to do well,” he said.

“You don’t start planning that in Los Angeles 2028 – the planning starts now.”

Minister for Sport Stirling Hinchliffe said plans were on schedule to introduce legislation to parliament before the end of the year to establish the Brisbane 2032 organising committee.

“We’re working closely with the Australian Government on the finalisation of the structure of the Brisbane Organising Committee for the Olympic Games,” he said.

“We remain on track to see that in place as required by the host contract.”

Mr Hinchliffe was coy when questioned whether he would take the mantle as the minister responsible for delivering the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.

“That’s a matter for the Premier, the Premier is the Minister who’s got responsibility for the Olympics,” he said.

“My charter letter requires me to support the Premier.”

Three-time Olympian Bronte Barratt was last week chosen to be the voice of athletes on the 2032 committee.