The world is coming to Brisbane, and we’re all going to be ambassadors

For all the talk about stadiums, public transport upgrades and urban planning, there has been scant mention of the most important Olympic preparation of all.

Our own.

As a high-ranking International Olympic Committee delegation wrapped up its three-day visit last week, Brisbane 2032 Co-ordination Commission chair Mikaela “Mikee” Cojuangco Jaworski said Brisbane was a feeling, and that feeling came from its people.

When a city hosts an Olympic Games, the whole world comes for the party.Credit: Telmo Pinto/NurPhoto via Getty Images

“That’s what I’m looking forward to – I’m looking forward to people from other parts of the world coming here and feeling what the people exude, which is just really being welcoming and friendly,” she said.

I’m not sure most Brisvegans are truly prepared for what’s coming in 2032, myself included. I’ve never been to an Olympics, but I have been to five FIFA world cups.

The buzz, the cultures, the party. It’s incredible. But while world cups are nationwide events, the Olympics will be centred firmly in our region.

Thousands of people from all over the world in one place. Brisbane will, as they say, be going off.

So, aside from the headline-grabbing venues and logistics, what do we need to do to prepare?

For starters, we need to cater to the masses. International visitors have long mused about the difficulty in ordering a meal in Brisbane after 8pm.

Own a restaurant? Get into the habit of opening a little later. Encourage locals to book late so, by the time 2032 comes around, late-night dining is routine.

Politicians can do their bit too. Make it easier for visitors to enjoy our nightlife – we don’t want any more foreign princes being denied entry to a club because they didn’t have sufficient ID.

If we must persist with our lockout laws, they should be lifted for at least the duration of the Games.

As for the rest of us, we can help shape these Games. Brisbane 2032 organisers have put out a call for everyday Queenslanders to help formulate a vision for our Games.

We need to start seeing our city through the eyes of a visitor. If you only had a short time here, what would you want to see? Where would you want to go?

The 2018 Commonwealth Games – and sprinter Usain Bolt’s turn as a DJ at Carrara Stadium – doesn’t seem that long ago. Likewise, the Olympics aren’t far away.Credit: AP/Mark Schiefelbein

When you’re asked for advice from an excited, wide-eyed visitor in 2032, what local secret will you share?

There’s plenty of time to come up with an answer – but not that much.

Remember the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast? Doesn’t seem that long ago, does it? Well, the time elapsed since then is about the same as the wait for Brisbane 2032.

It’s closer than you think.

Whether you have embraced the Olympic spirit or think it’s a waste of time and money, you’re going to be an ambassador for our city.

How you live up to that responsibility will shape the global perception of Brisbane for a generation.

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.