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Qatar’s Olympic bid not cause for concern says Mayor

QATAR’S potential bid for the 2032 Olympics shouldn’t be a concern, Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio says.

(FILES) In this file photo taken on March 24, 2020, Olympic Rings are seen a the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne, amid the spread of the COVID-19. - The International Olympic Committee, thanks to its vast reserves, and international federations, many of which have borrowed money, can cope with the postponement of the Tokyo Games, but a cancellation would have disastrous consequences, experts say. Cushioned by a dozen or so wealthy sponsors, including the French IT group Atos which has just extended its partnership until 2024, and with marketing contracts and television rights still on the rise, the IOC's future looks steady. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)
(FILES) In this file photo taken on March 24, 2020, Olympic Rings are seen a the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne, amid the spread of the COVID-19. - The International Olympic Committee, thanks to its vast reserves, and international federations, many of which have borrowed money, can cope with the postponement of the Tokyo Games, but a cancellation would have disastrous consequences, experts say. Cushioned by a dozen or so wealthy sponsors, including the French IT group Atos which has just extended its partnership until 2024, and with marketing contracts and television rights still on the rise, the IOC's future looks steady. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)

QATAR'S potential bid for the 2032 Olympics shouldn't be a concern, Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio says.

The Middle Eastern nation this week announced its intentions to bid for the games.

It comes after the South East Queensland Council of Mayors put its bid to hold the games across the southeast, including Toowoomba, on hold due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Cr Antonio, who is also the deputy chair of COMSEQ, said Qatar's intention to bid for the games hadn't shaken his confidence that a southeast Queensland bid could be successful.

"The (bid) is not our serious focus at the moment, we're focusing on the COVID-19 recovery, but it's been suggested we will continue with our bid," Cr Antonio said.

"Regardless of who else is (bidding), it's in the interest of the people in southeast Queensland that we continue it.

"We've put a lot of work into it … and the games would be pretty tremendous."

If the southeast Queensland bid is successful for the 2032 Olympics, it could mean Toowoomba could see investment in mountain biking facilities and a 20,000 capacity new stadium.

Originally published as

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/lismore/sport/qatars-olympic-bid-not-cause-for-concern-says-mayor/news-story/902b6958ef8eb2560a8eb06b7df706fa