Prominent athletes react to 2032 Olympic, Paralympic venue plan
A series of prominent athletes have revealed their excitement over the newly released 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games venue plan, saying it’s not just about crowning sporting heroes, but creating them.
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A series of prominent athletes have praised the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games venue plan released by Queensland Premier David Crisafulli on Tuesday.
From the new National Aquatic Centre to an upgraded Queensland Tennis Centre and para-sport facility at Chandler, some of Australia (and the world’s) most successful athletes have said the plan would not only provide vital infrastructure, but have a lasting impact at a grassroots level and provide inspiration for generations of sportsmen and women to come.
Ash Barty
The Australian Open champion said the investment in the Queensland Tennis Centre – including 12 new show courts and a 3000-seat venue – would ensure international players continued to love coming to the state, while also benefiting young players.
“What excites me the most about this infrastructure is that it’s going to be used not only for the elite and for the world’s best, but also for the grassroots coming through,” she said.
“It will be used by so many children … to pick up a racquet, to learn the sport of tennis, to fall in love with it just like we did.
“As a proud Queenslander I’m delighted to see it stay here.
“Everyone from the International tennis scene loves coming to Queensland. It’s going to be very special for them.”
Pat Rafter
The former tennis world number one Pat Rafter said it would help foster the next generation of players.
“Thank you guys for investing in it, because we know that the tennis in Brisbane will be very well used,” he said.
“Queensland has a very rich history in tennis so we’d prefer to keep it here in Queensland and we’re very happy to have it here and not being moved somewhere else.”
Ariarne Titmus
Olympic swimmer Ariarne Titmus told Today the newly announced National Aquatic Centre was a win for everyone.
“It’s so exciting to finally have an aquatic centre up to global standards in Brisbane,” she said.
The gold medallist said the venue would be an inspiration for young people across south east Queensland.
“These facilities aren’t just here for the 2032 Games,” she said.
“It’s about showing the world what we’re made of. For people to have the opportunity to learn to swim at an aquatic centre where history will be made would be amazing.”
She said the rowing being held in “croc infested” Rockhampton won’t stop world-class athletes.
“It’s a little bit different to a brand spanking new beautiful pool, but speaking from an athlete’s perspective, you’ll compete anywhere,” she said.
“Athletes dream of this moment and they’ll be willing to row through croc infested waters.”
Cam McEvoy
The Paris 50m freestyle gold medallist believes the construction of a National Aquatic Centre at Centenary Pool will “ignite” the same dream he had after Sydney 2000.
“I was six years old … I had Christmas down in Sydney and I got to go into the Sydney Olympic venue, stand on the blocks, see the pool in person and really experience what that was like,” he said.
“I watched the Olympics that year, but a lot of that was really watching my heroes do their thing … glued to the screen watching Thorpey do what he did and everyone else clean up.
“It wasn’t until I was in Sydney on those blocks that made me realise that it was a lot bigger than just watching your heroes on the screen.
“It made me realise that there was an ability, a chance and somewhere that I can dream.”
Cate Campbell
One of swimming’s most decorated athletes said the $650m National Aquatic Centre was a phenomenal achievement.
“When you think of the number of Australian icons who have come out of the sport, Susie O’Neill, Grant Hackett, Ian Thorpe, Emma McKeon, the list goes on and on,” she said.
“How exciting is it that we will be able to create and crown new icons in a purpose-built stadium that they can revisit again and again.
“Young aspiring swimmers will be able to walk in and say this is where history was made.
“You can taste it, you can touch it, you can feel it for generations to come.”
Ella Sabljak
Wheelchair rugby Paralympian Ella Sabljak said the new Paralympic high-performance centre at Chandler would significantly improve the training experience of athletes.
“Having that specifically for Paralympians and aspiring Paralympians we’re not going to get kicked off the court there for an under nine futsal championship,” she said.
“It’s purpose built for us, with us, by us and I think that’s really important as well to recognise the power of lived experience in the room.”
Curtis McGrath
Paralympic canoeist Curtis McGrath said the investment in Paralympic sport and accessible venues would have widespread social and economic benefits.
“It’s giving the hopes and dreams of people living with disability and children living with disability an opportunity to see what they can be, not what they can’t and knowing that they’re welcome in the room,” he said.
“It’s not just about the wheelchair or vision impairment, it’s about the pram, it’s about the ageing population that we have.
“There’s so many benefits to sport, both economically and health and mental health as well.”
Originally published as Prominent athletes react to 2032 Olympic, Paralympic venue plan
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