Brisbane Olympics 2032: Gold Coast crowd party after announcement

Excited Gold Coasters joined thousands of Queenslanders to erupt in cheers as they heard the four words that will transform the state’s future.

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GOLD Coasters rejoiced with thousands of excited southeast Queenslanders last night after finally hearing the three words the state had waited five years for: “We got it!”

Fireworks erupted over the beach at Broadbeach’s Kurrawa Parklands on Wednesday night where local fans exploded with joy as International Olympics Committee president Thomas Bach revealed in Tokyo that southeast Queensland would host the 2032 Olympic Games.

Ian Hanson and grandaughter Matilda Clarke, 5, at the Gold Coast Olympics party. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

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A jubilant Mayor Tom Tate said: “We got it Gold Coast … we got it.’

“I have long said that the Olympics and Paralympics is about two outcomes: great sporting rivalry and the acceleration of major city-building infrastructure for our incredible Gold Coast,” he told the crowd in the minutes after the announcement.

“I will join with councillors in focusing on what we can leverage for our residents, whether it is roads, bridges, green bridges, the heavy rail extension and light rail to the airport.

“As Freddie Mercury famously sang: we want it all. and we want it now.’’

In pictures: Olympics celebration on Coast

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Cr Tate said the Gold Coast’s history as a sporting mecca had played a key role in the securing of the event.

“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 reimagine what 2032 will be for our state and country.’’

The crowd reacts after the announcement is made. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

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The announcement was made ahead of the delayed 2020 Olympics finally kicking off in Japan this week.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Brisbane Mayor Adrian Schrinner both flew to Tokyo for the announcement while live sites to celebrate the win were held at Kurrawa on the Gold Coast, at South Bank in Brisbane and King’s Beach on the Sunshine Coast.

A large contingent of Gold Coast Olympians attended the celebrations, which comes 28 years after the IOC announced Sydney would host the 2000 Games.

Among them was 1984 Games gold medallist Glynis Nunn, now executive director of the Gold Coast Academy of Sport, who said Wednesday night’s announcement was a watershed moment: “This is a new era for the Olympic Games and it will give our young athletes a decade to prepare for an event which will be held in their own backyard,” she said.

“There will be nothing more exciting than a home Games and it will also open up a range of exciting opportunities.

“We have a climate which is quite welcoming and it will give different countries the chance to come and see where is best suited for them to prepare.”

Destination Gold Coast CEO Patricia O’Callaghan said hosting the Games would help restore the tourism industry in coming years.

“The Games will be critical for the Gold Coast to have an edge over other cities vying for the return of tourists in the years to come,” she told the Bulletin.

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