Premier will travel to Tokyo for final Olympics bid but won’t attend any events

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will fly to Tokyo this weekend to make the final pitch for Brisbane’s 2032 Olympics bid but officials are taking “nothing for granted” when it comes to winning.

Ms Palaszczuk, who has stared down calls for her to not travel to Tokyo and take up a spot in hotel quarantine when she returned, said she would not leave the state if it was in a similar situation to NSW, which has been battling an ongoing COVID outbreak.

The Premier will fly out on Sunday and return to Queensland after about a week, when she will complete 14 days in hotel quarantine.

“I am essentially flying in, doing the requirements of quarantine in Tokyo,” she said.

“I am presenting in Tokyo with the lord mayor and also the federal minister, I think then we have meetings in that same hotel.

“I am not attending any events whatsoever. I then fly back into Brisbane and I do 14 days hotel quarantine.

Queensland Minister for Sport Stirling Hinchcliffe speaks during the Australian Olympic Committee announcement.Credit: Getty Images AsiaPac

“Within a week, we will know if Queensland is going to secure the 2032 Olympics and that’s exciting for everyone in this state.”

Ms Palaszczuk will be joined by Brisbane lord mayor Adrian Schrinner and federal Sports Minister Richard Colbeck to present Brisbane’s bid.

Asked if he would instead quarantine at home upon his return, to save spots in hotel quarantine, Cr Schrinner said he would “love to quarantine at home”.

“That option is not available to me,” he said.

Lord mayor of Brisbane Adrian Schrinner speaks during the Australian Olympic Committee announcement of the Olympics Live locations.Credit: Getty Images AsiaPac

Prime Minister Scott Morrison recently quarantined at The Lodge following his trip to Britain for the G7.

More than 100 International Olympic Committee delegates will listen to a 45-minute presentation on Wednesday afternoon, before casting their vote, with Australian officials hoping an announcement will then be made, between 6-7pm, that “the winner is Brisbane!”

Despite Brisbane being installed as a preferred candidate, Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said he was taking “nothing for granted”.

“This final hurdle shouldn’t be downplayed, it should be taken with respect and make sure that we put our best foot forward,” he said.

Australian Olympic beach volley ball gold medallist Natalie Cook speaks.Credit: Getty Images AsiaPac

“One of the things that has been recorded and acknowledged is the very strong and effective way in which we have managed the impact of the global pandemic.”

Cr Schrinner said he was “extremely confident” about Brisbane’s chances.

“But obviously it’s not in the bag yet, we have to bring it home and that’s why it is so important that we have those three levels of government represented there in person in Tokyo,” he said.

“Normally we would have the chance to bring the IOC here to Brisbane and to Queensland and to show them around the place, to familiarise them with our city and all the venues right across the region, but that hasn’t been possible.

“So it is absolutely essential that we are there to look them in the eye, to let them know how serious we are, but also to share our passion for a Brisbane 2032 Olympics.”

Brisbane residents will be able to watch the deciding moments on Wednesday via one of 24 free live sites set up across the country, with outdoor screens set up at South Bank.

The sites will also be open every day and night of the Tokyo Olympics, which begin next Friday.