Raelene Boyle’s scathing view of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games

Raelene Boyle is concerned Brisbane will look like “cheapskates’’ by taking the Olympic Games to the venue where she once reigned as track queen.

Raelene Boyle is concerned Brisbane will look like “cheapskates’’ by taking the Olympic Games to the venue where she once reigned as track queen.

Boyle’s win in the 400m at the 1982 Commonwealth Games in the last race of her career was the most famous moment of the QE11 (now QSAC) athletics venue, which will now be revamped for the Brisbane 2032 Games.

Much as the venue has fond memories for her, Boyle fears the old site has had its day and says any renovation has to be done “very, very well”.

Raelene Boyle At Home With shoot in Buderim, Sunshine Coast, in 2022. Picture: Brad Fleet

“What do I think about going back to QEII? I think it is a shame for the sport and the city,’’ the triple Olympic silver medallist said.

“I don’t think it will show the city off that well and Brisbane could look like cheapskates are running the Games. The only thing going for it is there is already a track there.

“I don’t think it will be a great place to have track and field because it’s old. It is a small stadium and it will have to be revamped dramatically.

“But I also see the other side in that this is a terrible time to be spending money on the Olympics when people are struggling with their mortgages and there are tent cities happening in some of the parks.’’

Raelene Boyle punches the air after winning the gold medal in the 400m at the 1982 Commonwealth Games, Brisbane.

Raelene Boyle celebrates atop the podium at the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane. PictureL Getty Images

Boyle called for organisers to “get their act together’’ after years of squabbling about Games venues.

“The track and field goes for 10 days,’’ she said. “It is the shop window of the Games.

“Every television station in the world will focus on track and field and swimming. The way the track and field is presented will make the city look good or bad.

“You are talking about the star of the show when you are talking track and field. They have gone to the trouble of winning the bid but they are not organised. They are all over the place like mad men’s whatever.’’

Raelene Boyle celebrates after winning the 400m at the 1982 Commonwealth Games.

Olympic heptathlete gold medallist Glynis Nunn said she preferred QSAC to the more expensive option of building a stadium at Victoria Park.

“This sounds a little better but it depends on how much work is done,’’ Nunn said.

“There is no reason why it can’t work. You already have a warm-up track there. Obviously there is a lot of work to be done.’’

Boomers four-time Olympian Phil Smyth believes it’s a “smart” move to scrap plans to build a dedicated stadium for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and use Suncorp Stadium for the opening and closing ceremonies.

“They’ll save money if they’re not building a new venue at the showgrounds and it makes sense to minimise cost blowout,” Smyth said.

“It was not worth remodelling the Gabba. It wasn’t go to be big enough seating wise. They needed to build a new venue or use Suncorp Stadium.”