Annastacia Palaszczuk arrived in a hot and humid Tokyo early on Monday with the weight of the state on her shoulders, insisting she was here to meet the powerbrokers of world sport and push the bid across the line.
Her diplomatic rhetoric was designed to flatter International Olympic Committee members who consider the selection of a host city their greatest responsibility.
A small but threatening group of IOC members were angry Queensland had been pushed to preferred candidate status without the usual wheeling, dealing and dining they have come to expect from a potential host city.
It forced Queensland’s officials to play down any suggestion the bid was fait accompli.
In reality, the moment Ms Palaszczuk stepped off the plane, Brisbane was the only choice.
The Premier was right to insist she must travel to Japan – known for its uniquely polite customs – to eye IOC members and provide her commitment that Queensland is the right choice.
Her red-eye flight paid off.
Had she declined, a stubborn bloc of IOC members could have made things different.
There remained an incorrect assumption Queensland was the only horse in the 2032 race.
A no-show from Ms Palaszczuk would have put wind in the sails of Qatar, Budapest and Korea – all which have been waiting to strike should our prestigious ‘preferred candidate’ status wear thin.
Brisbane was the city the athletes wanted, Australia expected and the International Olympic Committee needed.
This all-conquering global sporting organisation desperately requires a non-controversial and reliable city to carry the Olympic flame.
Empty venues across Tokyo, the cancellation of pre-games festivities and the ever-present threat of Covid-19 means there’s now barely a flicker left in the Olympic flame.
The usual spirit of the Games hasn’t gripped Tokyo yet – many predict it won’t.
This announcement gives Brisbane an unprecedented 11 years to plan a global spectacle like nothing the world has ever seen.
There will be teething problems and obstacles along the way, but this opportunity can’t be underestimated.
Long-time Queenslanders remember two versions of the state – before and after Expo 88.
The 2032 Olympic Games will blow those benefits out of the water.
New sporting and transport infrastructure will be built, the region’s liveability will increase and the economic benefits will be unprecedented.
Tokyo, despite the latest State of Emergency, is gearing up for the greatest show on the planet.
This is a global megacity set to reap some rewards of these most unusual Games.
If the Olympics can transform the 13-million person Japanese capital, imagine what it will do for southeast Queensland.
Let the Games begin.
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