Sally Fitzgibbons says Gold Coast would be ‘as good as it gets’ as host of 2032 Olympic surfing contest
Surfing star Sally Fitzgibbons has cast her vote on a Queensland Olympics bid – here’s what she had to say.
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SALLY Fitzgibbons believes surfing’s inclusion in a Queensland Olympics would be ‘as good as it gets’ for the sport.
With surfing to make its official Olympic debut in Tokyo next year, Fitzgibbons was one of dozens of athletes on the Gold Coast yesterday as part of the Olympic preparation process.
Official teams will not be selected for months, but currently No. 2 on the world tour, Fitzgibbons is a virtual lock for one of Australia’s places in surfing’s Olympic debut next July.
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Being fitted for uniforms yesterday, she said surfing would be a huge drawcard for the Gold Coast if a Queensland bid wins the rights to the Olympics in 2032.
“This is surfing’s heartland, there is so much history on these beaches,” she said.
“As a celebration of the beach culture here, it would just be something special.”
Fitzgibbons, 28, would most likely be long retired by the time the 2032 Olympics comes around, but she said surfing would be embraced on the Gold Coast, which has a history of hosting big-time events including the World Surf League’s Quiksilver and Boost Mobile (formerly Roxy) Pros at Snapper Rocks.
Under Olympic guidelines, Australia would secure two places in an Olympic competition if two athletes finish in the top 10 on this year’s world tour.
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In the women’s, Fitzgibbons and defending champ Steph Gilmore (currently third) should both qualify.
Australia’s deputy chef de mission Susie O’Neill also threw her weight behind a Queensland Olympic bid.
She retired after the Sydney Olympics in 2000, but the proud Brisbanite said a southeast Queensland Olympics would be even better.
“It would be amazing,” she said.
Originally published as Sally Fitzgibbons says Gold Coast would be ‘as good as it gets’ as host of 2032 Olympic surfing contest
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