Sydney 2000 was ‘lost opportunity’ to recognise Indigenous culture: IOC member

Olympic members express deep concerns about the uncertainty of Brisbane 2032 venues, but it was a pointed criticism of former prime minister John Howard and the Sydney Olympics which dominated questions at the Olympic session in Greece.

Indigenous performers at Brisbane’s Southbank. Picture: Tara Croser.

The Howard government has been given a slapdown at the International Olympic Committee session for not doing enough to recognise Aboriginal and Indigenous peoples at the hugely successful Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.

This came after the Brisbane 2032 president Andrew Liveris delivered an acknowledgement to country at the Costa Navarino resort in Greece before the 108 IOC members on Thursday.

Mr Liveris started his address to update members about planning of the Games, saying “I’d like to begin by acknowledging traditional owners of the lands on which the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympic Games will be held. I pay my respects to elders past present and emerging in our tradition.”

2032 Brisbane Olympics CEO Andrew Liveries is seen on a giant screen during the 144th International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session, in Costa Navarino, Greece. Picture: AFP

After reassuring the members that he remained “positive” about the 100 day review on venues, due for publication next week, he was congratulated for the welcome to country acknowledgment.

Academy Award nominated film producer Armant Singh, an IOC member from South Africa, said it was vital for Brisbane 2032 continues to promote Indigenous culture and values.

He critically opined: “I think Sydney 2000 was a bit of a lost opportunity especially with your prime minister’s position in those days, so the Olympics in Brisbane really presents an opportunity to give that amazing Indigenous peoples culture and the stories to the world.”

The Sydney Olympics had prominent Aboriginal athletes such as 400m runner Cathy Freeman light the Olympic torch, and Nova Peris be the first recipient of the Olympic torch relay at Uluru.

Mr Liveris had to defend the “two changes in federal government, three state premiers, and a couple changes in local level,’’ which has created uncertainty about the venue and sports planning.

IOC member Ingmar de Vos, from Belgium said: “It would be good to see what happens in the end after 100 days review, the sooner the better to see confirmation of the all the venues.”

The Brisbane team also flagged that there would be constraints on any new sports being added to the Brisbane Olympic program because of venue constraints and the need to keep athlete numbers low.

Brisbane 2032 chief executive Cindy Hook said:“We just won’t be able to deliver at the scale of Los Angeles ‘28 and do it in a way that is experientially good and financially successful’’.

Another IOC member had told The Australian before the presentation:“They really need to get crack on. This is not what we had expected from Australia, I think we all remember the great Sydney Games and just assumed it would be smooth sailing, but clearly it isn’t.”

The Sydney Olympics had prominent Aboriginal athletes such as 400m runner Cathy Freeman light the Olympic torch. Picture: AFP

The official said that the delay in venue selection was holding up an entire work stream of decisions and the international sports federations were starting to wonder if the venue imbroglio was the first of what could be cascading dramas.

“It is a big concern because it is not about one venue, there are debates, reviews, backflips on a whole host of venues. Remember the Games were given to Brisbane so early because it would give time for a big rail transport link between the two coasts (Sunshine and Gold Coasts) and we haven’t seen any work on that at all.”

Earlier this week the IOC deferred deciding which sports will be on the program by 12 months. Usually the decision about the sports is made seven years ahead of the Games, but the Olympic powerbrokers announced a 12 month deferral.

“Following discussions between the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee and the IOC, it was agreed that it would be beneficial if the sports program decision was to be finalised next year, which would be approximately six years prior to the Olympic Games,’’ the IOC announced.

They said this would give Brisbane 2032 organisers additional time to work with its delivery partners to review and validate critical sporting infrastructure projects which will play a pivotal role in the Olympic Games.

The IOC has also stepped in demanding further collaboration to “tailor the process and timeline” - a heavy hint to Brisbane to make the crucial venue decisions.

There have been nearly four years of debate and uncertainty about the main track and field stadium, an indoor stadium which could host several different sports, and whether the aquatics should be held in a temporary or permanent venue.

There are also suggestions that the white water canoeing could be relocated outside of Queensland and held at Penrith, the host of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.