2032 Olympic Games: What will happen on the Gold Coast if it goes ahead
Gold Coast could fast-track multi-billion dollar projects if Queensland nabs the 2032 Olympics – and ratepayers won't pay a cent for the Games. FULL REPORT
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GOLD Coast Mayor Tom Tate has flagged a flurry of fast-tracked multi-billion dollar projects if Queensland nabs the 2032 Olympics – and vowed ratepayers would not pay a cent for the games.
Cr Tate reinstated the city’s commitment to the major international sporting event and the Paralympic Games amid the Brisbane bid.
“The Olympics is an opportunity we don’t want to miss,” he said.
“The event would supercharge expenditure in new public transport, community assets and global marketing exposure.
“At the same time, the ratepayers do not want to be hit with a special levy or charge to be part of the regional games.
“Today, Council has confirmed that we will protect ratepayers so that their rates are spent on what they want and need: improved local amenity.’’
Cr Tate said if the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced the bid was successful the Coast would benefit from extended light rail beyond Burleigh, works on the Coomera Connector, revitalised city beautification projects, airport improvements and a possible heavy rail extension to the airport from Varsity Lakes.
The outspoken mayor said the city’s security systems would also receive a boost.
“All that is up for discussion as the Brisbane2032 team works with the IOC on details,’’ Cr Tate said.
“The investment in our area would run into the billions so that’s a huge job bonanza for families and a huge stimulus for our city. All positive outcomes.
“Separate to the federal/state/IOC investment, our Council may invest directly in its own city beautification projects, to complement the broader work.
“This could include refurbished foreshore amenities, new nature trails, more facilities for Broadwater Parklands, better street scaping and lighting and improved national and international marketing of the coast, including trade events and promotions.
“But that would be funds we choose to invest as part of improving our city – not specific to a Games bid.
“We do not want ratepayers to feel like they are paying for the Olympics.’’
Major sport and community venues and the planned Disaster Management Centre would be offered up as a goodwill gesture, Cr Tate said.
“Venues that are post Commonwealth Games legacy are still ideal for the Olympics so we would definitely be willing to put those forward, once the list of sports the coast would host, is known,” he said.
It’s expected a decision on the 2032 Olympics location will be revealed in July.
A Brisbane 2032 decision is expected in July this year.
Cr Tate declined to answer Bulletin questions about financial backing for the 2032 Olympics in late 2019, but said a southeast Queensland bid was “wonderful”.
His office said at the time: “Sorry, the Mayor will only be making one statement on the Olympic bid today.”
2032 Olympic Games: Is this Gold Coast's next wave of sports stars for Brisbane event?
It may be a long way away but the Bulletin has taken the ultimate shot at predicting the rising Gold Coast sports stars who could be on deck for the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane.
AIKAN GRANIER-AMEUR
Aikan’s a young man who can certainly pack a punch.
At 14 he is a 3rd dan in taekwondo. At the national championships in 2019, Aikan won gold in the Cadet class. He then went on to win gold in May in the Gold Coast Open. In June he won the President’s Cup and also won the sparring competition and poomsae (which is where competitors have to do a routine).
In July he received a bronze in the Australian open championships. Aikan has competed at state, national and international levels in 2019. He trains daily and is achieving all the goals he sets himself. He took home the gold in the Queensland selections, a bronze medal at the Australian titles and then represented Australia at the World taekwondo Cadets Championship in Uzbekistan.
LACHLAN JONES
Lachlan is an up and coming triathlete who Olympian Craig Walton believes could be one of the most talented triathlete Australia has produced.
He said of the young athlete: “Lachlan is one of Australia’s biggest ever talents.”
Now 20, he has raced in multiple Oceania Cups with his best result a fourth at the Zilina European Cup in August.
At a super sprint weekend in 2018, Lachlan won the junior male section (16–19) while Tara Sosinski, another outstanding triathlete resident on the Coast won the youth female (15-16).
TARA SOSINSKI
Tara finished first in the 2019 Australian Youth Triathlon Series, held at the Gold Coast, Canberra and Tasmania, where points were gained from each event. She also competes in track and field, finishing fourth in the cross country for under-18 and second in the under-16 age group nationally.
JACK WATERS
Jack is an 18-year-old baseballer who in 2019 signed with the US division one college Grand Canyon University following a breakout year.
In May 2019, Jack was one of 25 Australians who travelled to Florida as part of the “Perfect” game tour and in August, he represented Australia under-18s against Canada in Lismore. He has been a regular state youth rep in past years.
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SABRINA HITCH
Sabrina partners her horse Dicavalli Dandy in equestrian events. At 17, she was ranked as one of Australia’s top junior dressage riders.
At the 2019 state Interschool Equestrian Championships, Sabrina won each event she entered on her mount. At the CDI FEI titles held in Caboolture in July, she won the team event and placed second in the CDI-J individual test along with the freestyle event. CDI stands for Concours de Dressage International (International Dressage Event) and is recognised by the world governing body of equestrian sports, the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). The event is run entirely in accordance with international rules and regulations.
The event caters for all ages and is an opportunity for young riders to exhibit their skills. Sabrina competed in the CDI-J section which includes riders aged from 14 to 18 years. Sabrina won 14 state championships and six national titles with “Dandy” and hopes to one day represent her country at the Olympics.
SEBASTIAN HOPKINS
In a sport that is quite unconventional, Sebastian, 20, has done outstandingly well. Using a rifle compiled from parts donated by other shooters, he was selected to represent Australia in the 2019 under-21 World Long Range Target Rifle Championships.
After only being involved in the sport for three years, the knowledge he gained held him in good stead when he claimed a bronze medal for the Australian under-21 rifle team. An outstanding feat and it is hoped with more experience he can continue to climb the ladder of success.
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ELLIE BEER
Ellie has had an amazing 2019 in track and field.
She went to Sydney in April and won the under-18 200m and 400m in record times. At an earlier meet in Brisbane, she ran a career-best time for the 400m of 52.53 which ranked her in the top three in Australia.
She was then selected in the open Australian women’s 4x400m relay team to compete in the World Relay Championships in Japan. The team qualified for the world championships to be held in Doha. Running the third leg, Ellie clocked an outstanding 52- second run but unfortunately the team did not qualify for the final, finishing 10th overall. At 16 years of age, she was the youngest in the team.
MADELEINE McTERNAN
Madeleine had an incredible 2019 after moving from Coffs Harbour to the Gold Coast. She won six gold, two silver and one bronze medal at the Queensland School Sport titles, won the Queensland School Sports multiclass female swimmer of the meet.
She also won bronze for Australia at the first leg of the 2019 World Para-Swimming Series Championships. At 18, she qualified for the Australian Para-swim team. In Adelaide at the Australian Age titles earlier in 2019, Madeleine won eight gold medals in the multiclass category and achieved her first Australian Age swimming record. In addition to these successes she won 10 gold medals and took out the School Sport Australia National Swimmer of the Meet in multi-class in Melbourne.
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JAKE FEHLBERG
Another multiclass athlete taking their sport by storm is Jake Fehlberg in lawn bowls.
From Burleigh, Jake has dominated Australian vision impaired bowls in 2019, winning all four national titles and both Queensland titles. Jake started to lose his eyesight from the age of 10 and it was at this time that he took up the sport. Under the tutelage of his dad, he has become one of the most outstanding bowlers in the Commonwealth, winning gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. During a tour of the UK in 2019, Jake notched up his 50th game for Australia. So good are his skills, Jake is extremely competitive against sighted players.
SUNNY BOWER
Gymnastics is a sport where young performers are seen to excel and achieve. Sunny Bower from the Elite Rhythmic Gymnastics Club has achieved some outstanding performances not only in 2019 but in her career. She is a level 9 junior performer who was crowned 2019 Queensland champion, Queensland Cup Champion and National Clubs Carnival Champion. She was nominated as Junior Gymnast of the Year.
Trained by Russian coach Galrina Yegoroba, Sunny also took fourth ribbon (Senior International Division) at the Olympic level at the Glen Iris Cup recently held in Melbourne. She was selected in a 40-person squad to attend a national training camp on the Gold Coast in January 2020. A specialist Russian coach will be attending to help all athletes.
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