Australia’s chef de mission Ian Chesterman believes the Tokyo Olympics has provided organisers of the Brisbane 2032 Games with “a roadmap” for their own event.
Chesterman hailed Japan’s resilience and organisational skills, rating the pandemic-postponed 2020 Games “11 out of 10”.
“Tokyo has certainly been a show of great organisation and commitment and provides an even better roadmap to go forward than what we had coming out of Rio (in 2016),” he said on Sunday.
“So we thank very much the Japanese organisers who have done an incredible job working for an extra 15 months to make this happen.
"It’s not the Games they had planned for, but they still delivered and the athletes will always be grateful for that."
An emotional Chesterman also reflected on the success of the Australian athletes in Tokyo – Australia were sixth on the medals table with 17 golds on the final day of action.
“Our medal tally was exceptional. I’m very proud of these young people, and sometimes not so young,” he said in reference to 62-year-old equestrian competitor Anthony Hoy, who won two medals.
“Australia has taken this group into their hearts. Even though these Games were different to any other, the way our athletes supported each other made this a memorable experience for every member of this team.
"I believe Australia will remember this team for decades to come.
"They've made a real connection with people back home. It's been such a tough time in so many communities and the athletes have been so conscious of that over here.
"Their performances and the way they've conducted themselves on and off the field has been superb."
Australia’s chef de mission Ian Chesterman deeply emotional in his final press conference for #Tokyo2020. Reflective of the immense effort to get the team here and back safely, their performance and the efforts of the people of Japan to make the impossible Games possible.
— Phil Lutton (@phillutton78) August 8, 2021
– AFP
