Chelsea Warr: ‘Gold medal maker’ could return for 2032 Games role

The state government is eyeing the return of “gold medal maker” Chelsea Warr as it forges ahead splitting the Queensland Academy of Sport into an independent agency.

Former Queensland Academy of Sport CEO Chelsea Warr

• Editor’s view: Golden opportunity

The state government is eyeing the return of “gold medal maker” Chelsea Warr as it forges ahead splitting the Queensland Academy of Sport into an independent agency before the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Ms Warr, who sensationally resigned as CEO last February to “pursue other opportunities”, is again in talks with the state government as it moves to rebuild the academy as an independent authority.

The former sporting executive, dubbed the “gold medal maker” for her success with athletes, quietly met Kristin McGill – chief of staff to Sport, Racing and Olympic and Paralympic Games Minister Tim Mander – on November 19.

However, the purpose of the meeting was not disclosed.

“In the lead-up to Brisbane 2032 we are committed to working with experts in their fields to get their advice, making sure we deliver the Games Queenslanders deserve,” a spokeswoman for Mr Mander said.

Ms Warr could not be reached for comment.

The government will also honour the former Labor government’s commitment made in July to make the Queensland Institute of Sport a statutory agency.

“Legislation will be introduced to the Parliament this year,” Mr Mander’s spokeswoman said.

Ms Warr resigned following a meeting with Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport Director-General Andrew Hopper.

Ms Warr had pushed for the academy to operate as an entity separate from government.

Fears the Queensland Academy of Sport was being caught in bureaucratic red tape prompted then Premier Steven Miles to launch a structural review to assess whether – eight years away from the 2032 Olympic Games – the high-performance unit should become a stand-alone agency.

In May the government revealed it would be separated from the bureaucracy, with a new chief executive officer.

A chairman would guide strategic vision, compliance with regulations and achievement of performance targets.

The future of Queensland Academy of Sport’s world-class gym – located in the western stand of Nathan’s Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre – also now appears secure.

The former state government’s plan to use QSAC as the athletics venue for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games led to fears the gym, opened in 2022, would be demolished.

The establishment of an independent QAS is set to take several years.

Originally published as Chelsea Warr: ‘Gold medal maker’ could return for 2032 Games role