NRL pushes for spot at 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games
The likes of Reece Walsh could be lining up at the Olympic Games if the NRL gets its way. HAVE YOUR SAY
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The NRL has formally thrown its hat into the ring for a spot at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics.
Games organising committee boss Andrew Liveris revealed on Thursday he had held talks this week with NRL powerbrokers Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo about the potential for some form of rugby league – likely touch football – to be played at the Games.
It comes after Queensland Olympics Minister and former NRL referee Tim Mander, speaking during last month’s hugely successful Magic Round in Brisbane, said his government was keen to have some form of rugby league played at the 2032 Games.
Mr Liveris, who was on the Gold Coast on Thursday as part of a continuing Games roadshow in Queensland, said the NRL had formally pitched its case for inclusion on Wednesday as organisers prepare to finalise the sports program.
“We’re meeting with all the (sports) federations interested (and) I don’t mind (telling you) I took a meeting with the NRL yesterday,” he said.
“We have a bunch of sports in the queue. We’re open to all of the submissions that fit the criteria.”
Mr Liveris said the NRL, like all the other football codes, had mounted a compelling case around spectators and global audiences.
“It’s a staggering set of statistics what the NRL is achieving in terms of global viewership and global participation,” he said.
“Clearly, touch (football) is something they use as kind of their non-contact version.”
Should the NRL get the green light, the likes of Broncos star Reece Walsh, 22, could be a contender for the Games given he is already considered the face of the code.
Mr Liveris noted that the NFL was part of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics with flag football.
“Those sort of codes are all about their brand being associated with the Olympic brand,” he said.
“I’m all about the monetisation of that. Tell me why that will benefit our revenue streams for broadcast rights and fan experience, and what we have now is a brand new set of stadiums and venues.
“The case for the NRL, and for that matter cricket and a few others, is that it can be regional – because we have stadiums across the state and the country.
“So they (the NRL) have a strong value proposition but as I said to them yesterday, get in the queue.
“We’re (the Brisbane Olympics) popular and we know it, and we like it.”
Mr Liveris was flanked by fellow Brisbane Olympic Organising Committee board member, Gold Coast Titans NRL club owner Rebecca Frizelle.
They joined Coast Mayor Tom Tate on a visit to The Southport School to inspire students from TSS and neighbouring private girls school St Hilda’s about Olympic opportunities.
Originally published as NRL pushes for spot at 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games
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