Queenslanders brave the cold to celebrate history

Queenslanders braved the cold to revel in the historic Olympic announcement. Here’s how we celebrated.

Forget the Big Chill. This was the Big Thrill as thousands of Queenslanders shrugged off single-digit temperatures by flocking to live sites across the state’s southeast to soak up the excitement of the historic announcement which delivered the 2032 Olympics to Brisbane.

This was our “Syd-oh-nee” moment and we celebrated in Queensland style.

Crowds roared with the fervour of a Suncorp Stadium Origin decider – through green and gold face masks, as International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach announced Brisbane’s bid for the Games was now a reality.

Olympian Natalie Cook sending a video message to the Premier with Steven Miles, Stirling Hinchliffe, Krista Adams and Cameron Dick at South Bank. Picture: Richard Walker

Despite the frigid temperatures, huge crowds turned out to embrace the moment, decked out in green and gold scarfs, beanies and face masks in a Covid-safe celebration for the ages.

At South Bank in Brisbane, not even a glitch in the livestream could derail the delirium, while on the Gold Coast – the catalyst for the Olympic bid after an epic Commonwealth Games in 2018, Mayor Tom Tate struggled to be heard above the crescendo of cheers.

South Bank, the home of Brisbane’s previous entry to the world stage at Expo 88, was Celebration Central, despite a technical glitch robbing spectators of the pivotal moment.

The official announcement was missed by the crowd, who quickly cottoned on when big screen footage showed Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk already celebrating.

Crowds at South Bank celebrate Brisbane’s appointment as host of the 2032 Olympics. Picture: Josh Woning

Gold medallist beach volleyballer Natalie Cook, who hosted the South Bank event, told the crowd Brisbane had won it and raucous celebrations followed.

Gold medallist hurdler Sally Pearson said a home Olympics would inspire a whole new generation of athletes.

“I kind of wish I was 20 years younger but it’s just spectacular,” she said.

“What it can do for a whole new generation of athletes and people who maybe were never thinking they could never compete at a home Olympics are now like “oh I want to make sure I am fighting fit and ready to compete at those Olympic Games”.

“Everyone is going to be fighting to get to these Olympics and I can’t blame them.”

Olympians Dawn Fraser and Sally Pearson celebrate the decision to award Brisbane the 2032 Olympics. Picture: Josh Woning

Former Brisbane Lord Mayor and Australian Olympic Committee member Sallyanne Atkinson – herself involved in Brisbane’s previous tilts at the Games, said winning the Olympic bid was “very, very important” for Brisbane.

“There will be so many major sporting events and so many people coming here,” she said.

“To be able to showcase this (Brisbane) I hope they are seeing this across the world.”

Australian swimming legend Dawn Fraser said it was absolutely fantastic for Queensland and Australia.

“It was absolutely fantastic for Queensland, and for Brisbane to get the 2032 games is absolutely fantastic.”

“Annastacia Palaszczuk did a fantastic job and also the mayors of the regional areas and I think it’s a good thing for Australia.”

The crowds pictured at South Bank for the announcement of the 2032 Olympic host nation. Brisbane won! Picture: Josh Woning

David and Dale McGregor have called Brisbane home for most of their lives, and said it was incredible to think Brisbane could play host to an Olympic Games.

“The Brisbane I grew up in really was a big country town, we’ve come a long way,” Mr McGregor said.

“It used to be hard to believe we were called the River City, and now we could be the Olympic City,” he said.

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Volleyballer Selina Scoble competed at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, and said the opportunities a Brisbane Olympics would offer were immense.

“It’s really exciting for the younger generation, it’s huge,” she said.

Greta Gaudry from Stafford was a spectator at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and said it would be amazing for Brisbane to host their own Games.

Brisbane locals clad in green and gold also gathered in King George Square to watch the announcement on the big screen.

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.”

Stephen Glowacz with his daughters Georgia and Giselle celebrate Brisbane’s Olympic Games win. Picture: Richard Walker

As for Stephen Glowacz from Ashgrove, the timing couldn’t be better for his two young daughters.

“They’re probably going to be in it [the Olympics]. They just love sports,” he said.

On the Gold Coast, a Covid-safe crowd of 800 watched the announcement on the big screen at Kurrawa Park, with thousands more turned away.

Struggling to be heard above the ecstatic crowd, Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said it was another watershed moment for Queensland.

“It is really the success of the 2018 Commonwealth Games that was the springboard to what has occurred tonight,” he said.

“In my view, the SEQ region – and all Australians – can feel proud of what was achieved in 2018.

“Now, it’s time to re-imagine what 2032 will be for our state and country.’’

Crowds celebrate the Brisbane 2032 Olympics announcement at Kurrawa on the Gold Coast. Picture: Glenn Hampson

On the Sunshine Coast, Australian flags waved proudly in the air as hundreds decked out in green and gold watched on at the Kings Beach amphitheatre.

Triathlete hopeful Erin Wooldridge, 18, couldn’t believe the result, already a member of the Australian squad the 2032 Olympics are now firmly in her sights.

“I’m really excited, the Olympics is one of my dreams,” she said.

- additional reporting Matthew Johnston and Natalie Wynne