Brisbane River could star in revamp of Olympic Games ceremonies
If southeast Queensland’s 2032 bid is successful, the opening or closing ceremony could be the most spectacular and cutting-edge in modern Olympics history. The Games could also see Suncorp Stadium transformed, allowing the largest crowd ever for the swimming events.
QLD News
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UP TO 2 million people could line the Brisbane River to see the most spectacular opening or closing ceremonies in modern Olympics history, as part of a cutting-edge Queensland-style revamp of the current model.
Multiple Olympics sources have told The Courier-Mail the break from tradition for one of the two major ceremonies would form part of the “new paradigm’’ being embraced by the International Olympic Committee.
There is also speculation that Suncorp Stadium would be completely overhauled for the Games, with a roof going on and an Olympic-sized pool and diving board built.
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This would mean a crowd of close to 50,000 for the swimming, which would be the largest spectator number ever achieved for that event, which is traditionally Australia’s strongest.
The 65,000-seat Olympic stadium and athletes’ village would be built at either the Hamilton Wharves area or Albion Park racetrack, which will be vacated by 2023 as the trots and dogs move outside the city.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said yesterday Riverfire’s fireworks display each year showcased the Brisbane River to up to a million people.
“It’s very clear to me and the organising body that we need to use the river in a much more proactive way,’’ Cr Schrinner said.
“There is a distinct possibility that we could do something very special either opening or closing the Games with the river.
“What that looks like right now is hard to say because clearly there’s a lot of water to go under the bridge before we get to talking about how that works and looks.
“But it’s a point of difference for us with the IOC and I know the IOC are looking to take the Games very much into the 21st century, in so many ways.’’
If the Brisbane River was to be used, organisers believe it is most likely to be the closing ceremony, where tradition can be more easily changed.
The plan would be to use floats on the river in some capacity, with a night-time extravaganza and fireworks being the centrepiece.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is understood to be “red hot’’ on throwing the conventional Olympics handbook out the window for a “razzle-dazzle’’ opening or closing ceremony.
She is bullish about Queensland’s 2032 Olympics prospects and will present the findings of a cost-benefit analysis to Cabinet on Monday.
The Games bid has garnered widespread support from Queensland’s top business and sporting identities including Cathy Freeman and Ash Barty.
Originally published as Brisbane River could star in revamp of Olympic Games ceremonies