Five key lessons from Paris 2024 for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics

Andrew Liveris has returned from the Paris Games with five key things that he says Brisbane 2032 must get right.

Andrew Liveris on Wednesday. Picture: Richard Walker

Athletes on the podium, seamless transport and venues that can make and attract revenue are among the key lessons learned by the Brisbane 2032 boss from Paris 2024.

The Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics Organising Committee president Andrew Liveris this week returned from Europe inspired by the host city’s capabilities but also what could be done better.

Speaking at the Brisbane 2032: Lessons from Paris CEDA event on Wednesday, Mr Liveris said he attended daily briefings in Paris, which highlighted a number of early teething problems.

“My personal learnings are huge. It was my first Games in this role,” he said.

“It’s really amazing to get behind the scenes and learn how the International Olympic Committee works with the (organising committee) through putting on the two events.

“The very early stuff that was going not so good, not so right, the teething problems on supply chains … and the remedies that they put in place pretty quickly.”

He said the lesson for Brisbane 2032 was to “have a plan A, B and C”.

Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics Organising Committee president Andrew Liveris went behind the scenes of the Paris Games, returning with a number of key insights. Picture: Getty Images

Mr Liveris will be in Cairns on Friday for an Organising Committees for the Olympic Games board meeting.

These are five things he says Brisbane has to get right for 2032 inspired by lessons from Paris.

TRANSPORT

Mr Liveris said with 2032 to be hosted in three main cluster cities – Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast – a lot of attention needed to be paid to moving athletes and fans to and from events.

He said many events in Paris were not close to other main venues or villages, which created accessibility issues for everyone.

He said buses would be at the heart of the transportation needed in Brisbane, with support for Brisbane City Council’s expansion of the Metro.

“(Paris) did get transport right for the fan, and they eventually got it right for the athlete,” he said.

“There were transportation issues to their main village.

“It wasn’t as accessible, not just in the disability sense, but accessible in terms of getting in and out.

“We can’t have those disruptions occur.”

VENUES

Inside Stade de France during the closing ceremony. Picture: Getty Images)

Mr Liveris said in both Paris and for LA 2028, the new normal for venues are that they needed to be for the wider population to ensure they had legacy and be infrastructure that can make and attract revenue.

“You just have to be in the Stade de France, watching the Sevens Rugby, with 80,000 people providing revenue, and top sponsors providing revenue, to understand the power of having a right sized stadium for the Olympics,” he said.

ATHLETE EXPERIENCE

Nina Kennedy celebrates winning gold in the Women's Pole Vault Final. Picture: Getty Images

The athlete experience is not a new lesson but one Mr Liveris said has to be right for Brisbane 2032.

“At the end of the day, this is all about the athletes putting on the most amazing high performance that they can put on for themselves, for their families, for their countries, and for the world to see,” Mr Liveris said.

FAN EXPERIENCE

A strong police presence didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of spectators at the 2024 Paris Olympics, according to Andrew Liveris. Picture: Getty Images

The presence of 40,000 law enforcement officers on the streets and the decision to offer no alcohol to regular ticketholders did not dampen the spirits of spectators in Paris, Mr Liveris said.

While there are no plans for a dry Brisbane 2032 yet, Mr Liveris said the results of athletes and getting them on the podium is what will drive the experience for fans.

He said getting Australian medal heroes from Paris 2024 like Ariane Titmus, Kaylee McKeown and Madison de Rozario to engage with fans will also help hype up a home Games.

“The fan experience (in Paris) was amazing,” Mr Liveris said.

“(Paris) was a city based games, ours are not, but certainly what we can learn from this was they integrated the fan experience with their venues and created a feeling that Parisians and visitors alike could enjoy and be part.

“People till this day talk about the Sydney Games as warm and hospitable and the Cathy Freeman moment.

“At the end of the day, the venues didn’t matter, the performances matter.”

ACCESSIBILITY

Andrew Liveris says Brisbane 2032 must focus on transport solutions, with accessibility issues in Paris. Picture: AFP

Paris’ old underground transport infrastructure proved difficult to navigate for fans and athletes alike.

The 2024 host city spent $1.5 billion Euros to make their Metro train system more accessible.

Mr Liveris said it was understood 90 per cent of buses for Brisbane 2032 will be accessible for everyone.

“We’re a first world nation. Even the design of our buses and accessibility will matter,” he said.

“Paris didn’t have that.”

Originally published as Five key lessons from Paris 2024 for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics