Brisbane Olympics bid faces ‘disaster’ if Premier doesn’t fly to Tokyo

Australia’s Olympic boss says it is imperative that Annastacia Palaszczuk looks IOC members in the eye at Tokyo if Brisbane’s bid is to proceed.

Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic Bid would face “disaster” if Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk does not fly to Tokyo this month and look the International Olympic Committee in the eyes, John Coates has declared.

Mr Coates, the Australian Olympic Committee President, said it was vital Ms Palaszczuk travel to Tokyo for the final presentation to the IOC members after Ms Palaszczuk on Thursday conceded she would not attend the meeting if Queensland was battling ongoing Covid-19 outbreaks.

When questioned whether Ms Palaszczuk’s non-attendance would influence the outcome of Queensland’s bid, Mr Coates said “it would be a disaster”.

“In that IOC session the members are being asked to make a decision on the election of a host city which is the most important thing they do,” he said.

“They want to look whoever they’re giving the games to in the eyes.

“They want to know can we trust you to uphold the values of the Olympic movement … can we trust you to host the games?”

Qld Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and President of the Australian Olympic Committee John Coates arrive to speak to the media during a press conference. (Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)

Because of his attendance at the G7 Summit earlier this month and subsequent 14-day quarantine Prime Minister Scott Morrison will dial into the IOC session remotely.

Mr Coates said IOC members – made up of members of the royal family, former Prime Ministers and heads of state – expected the leader of a bidding city to turn up.

“She is the one who has been the face of it,” he said of Ms Palaszczuk.

“They want to see you, ask questions and know you.”

Queensland could be awarded the 2032 Olympics on July 21, with the IOC set to hear the final presentation and ask questions of the delegation before voting about 5.30pm.

Ms Palaszczuk has come under fire for calling on the Commonwealth to cut overseas arrivals by up to 75 per cent in the wake of the latest Covid-19 outbreak while also pledging to travel on “official state business” to Tokyo.

“If I attend I will come back and do 14 days of mandatory hotel quarantine,” she said.

“People leaving Australia should be vaccinated and people coming into Australia should be vaccinated.”

The Premier has received the Pfizer vaccine.

Originally published as Brisbane Olympics bid faces ‘disaster’ if Premier doesn’t fly to Tokyo