Catherine Freeman’s call to bring on southeast Queensland Olympics

Olympic champion Catherine Freeman has thrown her support behind the push for southeast Queensland to host the Games.

OLYMPIC legend Catherine Freeman has joined indigenous and community leaders to back the SEQ 2032 Games push with the massive opportunities it offers indigenous kids.

“The Paralympic and Olympic Games harnesses enormous ­global human potential unlike any other event in the world,” the Mackay-born star of the Sydney 2000 Games said.

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“A possible Brisbane and Queensland 2032 Games presents enormous opportunity for all of us in so many ways.

“A Brisbane and Queensland hosted 2032 ­Paralympic and Olympic Games could mean Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island culture and people are celebrated through the Olympic core values of excellence, friendship and respect.

“The Olympic and Paralympic Games is unquestionably an authority on world peace. Hence why, possibly in 2032, the Games will make a profound and lifelong impact on Brisbane and Queensland for generations to come.”

Freeman, whose Cathy Freeman Foundation is active in ­indigenous communities across Queensland and Australia working to help expand horizons and support indigenous students at school, won the hearts of the world when she took gold in 400m in Sydney. Her victory lap draped in the ­Australian and Aboriginal flags ­became an iconic moment.

Former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda added his voice to the push.

“The prospect of 2032 Olympic Games coming to Queensland excites me no end,” Mr Gooda said from Thursday Island off Queensland’s northern tip.

“I think of how the Olympics unifies the world and how hosting the Games could be a unique unifying moment for all us Queenslanders, bringing us together to show us at our best.

“I can only imagine the pride for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the world celebrates the oldest living culture on our planet.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it was “great to see so many people including Olympians, business and community leaders all over the state backing the Games bid.

“They see a 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games providing an opportunity for investment in the years leading up to and following the Games in addition to the Games themselves.

“If we are to succeed it’s vital all three levels of government continue to co-operate. The value proposition will be considered by cabinet by the end of the year.”

Originally published as Catherine Freeman’s call to bring on southeast Queensland Olympics