Push to bring surf life saving to Brisbane Olympics in 2032

It’s as quintessential Queensland as surf and sand and now this homegrown sport is pushing for a place at the Brisbane Olympics.

It’s as Queensland as surf and sand and the push is on to bring surf life saving to Brisbane’s Olympic Games.

With planning already underway for the 2032 Games, a number of sports are eyeing off the chance to become Olympic demonstration events and showcase their appeal on the world’s biggest stage.

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Surf life saving’s ironman and ironwoman events have emerged as early contenders, with an online petition to be presented to the International Olympic Committee already gathering almost 2000 signatures.

Life saving already has an international presence arguably bigger than recent Olympic additions such as surfing or rugby sevens, with athletes from 45 nations competing in the 2018 world championships in Adelaide.

Surf life saving is in contention as a new sport for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics. Picture: Richard Gosling

Next year’s event is scheduled for Italy, with the Gold Coast booked to host the 2024 instalment in what could be a perfect pitch for the sport’s inclusion in the Olympics.

The International Lifesaving Federation would be required to take charge of any bid, but Surf Life Saving Queensland CEO Dave Whimpey said there was a tremendous opportunity for the movement.

Both the Gold and Sunshine coasts would be in the frame to host any Olympic competition.

“We would love to see surf lifesaving on the international stage of the Olympics,” he said.

“We have some of the best athletes in the world and what better way to showcase them in Queensland in 2032.”

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Some of life saving’s biggest stars have already competed at the Olympics – albeit in different sports, with Ky Hurst, Ken Wallace and Clint Robinson among the men and Naomi Flood, Alyssa Bull and Alyce Burnett amongst the women.

Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park ironman competitor Connor Peabody is one of the sport’s rising stars and would be 29 if life saving made a Brisbane Olympic debut.

Lifesavers Connor Peabody, 18 from Burleigh Heads SLSC and Lucy Derbyshire, 18 from Northcliffe SLSC would love to compete at the Brisbane Olympics in 2032. Picture: Nigel Hallett.

“It would be so exciting,” he said.

“It would give everyone something to really strive for and you would find that a lot of great athletes from swimming or paddling from around the world would be able to make the transition.

“It would be so good for the sport.”

In a statement, a Surf Life Saving Australia spokeswoman said they would welcome any move to showcase the sport of surf lifesaving at the Olympics.

There is even a chance for life saving to debut before Brisbane, with the sport synonymous with beach culture in California, which is hosting the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

The Belgium-based International Life Saving Federation was contacted for comment.

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Originally published as Push to bring surf life saving to Brisbane Olympics in 2032