IOC backs plan for Brisbane Olympic Games stadium

The IOC has backed Brisbane’s plan for a new stadium for the 2032 Games, but says work has to start soon.

Olympic Games executive director Christophe Dubi makes a point in Brisbane on Thursday. Picture: AFP

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The International Olympic Committee Coordination Commission has backed the Queensland government’s plan to build a new stadium for the Brisbane 2032 Games but urged the importance of breaking ground as soon as possible.

The delegation wrapped up its three-day whirlwind visit of venue sites in Brisbane on Thursday, praising the Crisafulli Liberal National government’s venue plan that was handed down in March.

The IOC’s Olympic Games executive director, Christophe Dubi, said the plan for a 63,000-seat stadium at Victoria Park next to a new National Aquatics Centre was reminiscent of Sydney’s Olympic Park, delivered for the 2000 Games.

“You (Brisbane) are in a park … an incredible location,” Mr Dubi said. “If you ask me, from an operational standpoint, it’s absolutely doable and the two reinforce together.

“Then you have also this opportunity to have this venue and this number of spectators, hence creating that precinct atmosphere downtown, and that will be something incredibly special.”

IOC Coordination Commission chair Mikaela Cojuangco-Jaworski said she was not concerned that the $7.1bn venue plan announced in March featured several new venues, which was seemingly at odds with the “new norm” pledge from the peak authority.

Andrew Liveris in Brisbane on Thursday. Picture: Patrick Hamilton

Brisbane was set to be the first city to operate under the “new norm”, which encouraged affordable and sustainable design with a preference for the use of existing or temporary facilities.

“One of the key things is about the Games being part of the city or the host,” Ms Cojuangco-Jaworski said. “It’s not about turning the host into what the Games need.

She added that is was pivotal key decisions around branding and mascots needed to be made ahead of the Los Angeles Games in 2028, adding that ground had to be broken on the major Brisbane venues.

Brisbane 2032 Olympic president Andrew Liveris echoed the need to get building.

“I don’t think you’re going to see shovels out of the ground, and a lot of these are the bigger ones, until next year,” Mr Liveris said.

“We do not want to be building the same year.”