AOC talks up 2032 bid push for after the pandemic

Olympic chief Matt Carroll says the nation could emerge from the pandemic into its greatest sporting decade.

Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates, left, and chief executive Matt Carroll speaking to the media at Sydney’s Circular Quay on Satruday. Picture: Adam Yip

Australian Olympic Committee chief executive Matt Carroll says the nation could potentially have the greatest 10 years in its sporting history ahead of the Games in 2032.

The Tokyo Games scheduled for this year have been put back to 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic, with AOC president John Coates saying on Saturday there was no plan B regarding a further deferral.

The AOC remains bullish about the South East Queensland bid for 2032, with the IOC expected to make a decision on the host in either 2022 or 2023.

Australia has already secured the 2022 women’s basketball World Cup, joined with New Zealand to bid for the 2023 women’s football World Cup and has announced its intention to bid for the 2027 men’s rugby World Cup.

“Basketball and football and I presume rugby are all going to try and bid for various tournaments in the lead-up [to the 2032 Olympics],” Carroll told AAP after Saturday’s AOC annual general meeting, which was held via a video conference.

“It could be the greatest 10 years between 2022 and 2032 in Australian sporting history,’’ he said.

“The [2032 Olympic] candidature is coming together well.”

Coates insisted it wasn’t a bad time for governments to invest in the 2032 bid despite the economic issues generated by the pandemic.

“It’s even better because the idea of this is using existing community and sporting venues and turbocharging the economy at a time it needs it in terms of new road and rail infrastructure,” Coates said.

Preparations for the 2032 bid were continuing though he had cancelled an April 21 meeting of the Olympic candidature leadership group which would have been chaired by the Prime Minister.

“It was clear to me we shouldn’t be seeking the attention of the politicians during this time,” Coates said.

“I don’t think the community would have understood if we were pushing something like this publicly when the community has got these massive health and safety issues to deal with.”

The AOC don’t expect a vaccine for coronavirus to be produced in time for the Tokyo Games, where it expects to have the third largest squad of competitors.

Despite the economic difficulties caused by the pandemic, the AOC is in a strong financial position and doesn’t anticipate any cash flow issues.

An amendment to the AOC constitution passed on Saturday allows for an honorary life president to be appointed in the future, by the organisation’s executive. Coates would appear a strong candidate for the position.

“Any potential candidates are on a good behaviour bond in the meantime,” Coates joked.

AAP