Sport PM Anthony Albanese thinks should be played at Brisbane Games in 2032 for first time
Australia may have become the laughing stock of the world for Raygun’s breakdancing in Paris, but PM Anthony Albanese has an idea for a new Olympic event that we would kick goals in.
Victoria
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Australia may have become the laughing stock of the world for Raygun’s breakdancing in Paris, but Anthony Albanese has had the last laugh in mooting a new Olympic event for Brisbane in 2032 that the country simply can’t fail at.
Mr Albanese has jokingly suggested AFL be played at the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games, where Australia is able to nominate a new sport for inclusion on the stellar sporting calendar.
In a speech to the 10th anniversary of the Parliamentary Friends of the AFL, he said the addition of AFL would put Australia in the best position to boost its gold medal tally.
“(At) Brisbane 2032 we do get to nominate a sport,” Mr Albanese said.
“I’m just saying, there’s an obvious one for Australia to pick, and I reckon we’re a fair chance of the gold.”
Mr Albanese, who will welcome Australia’s Olympians back on home soil on Wednesday, said they had been inspirational over the past few weeks.
“But on a day to day and week to week basis, AFL provides that inspiration,” he said.
“They have done us proud representing our nation. But the AFL, as a sport, does us proud because it is who we are.”
Mr Albanese said kids needed to get off devices and on to sporting fields, courts and into swimming pools.
He said unlike some other sports, AFL brought people together and was an equaliser because all that was needed to play it was “a bit of grass, even concrete or both, and a footy”.
“It’s such a simple pleasure that is inclusive, that doesn’t rely on people having the biggest income,” Mr Albanese said.
He also sought to clear up any confusion over his allegiance to the Hawks, after being pictured over the years wearing the scarfs of other teams.
“I’ve been a Hawthorn supporter for a very long time,” Mr Albanese confirmed.
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