Opinion: Olympic planning needs to click into gear with 1135 days down, 2887 to go
Brisbane 2032 had the longest runway for any summer Olympics in history. We’ve let that advantage slip away, writes Adrian Schrinner.
Opinion
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There are just 2887 days left until the Brisbane 2032 Olympics opening ceremony. The number that should make us sit up and take real notice is 1135.
That is the incredible – shocking even – number of days since then premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and I were in Tokyo and Brisbane was awarded the Games. Brisbane 2032 had the longest runway for any Summer Olympics in history.
We’ve let that advantage slip away. I’m not saying nothing has been done. There’s been a huge amount of work going on behind the scenes in the 2032 Organising Committee.
But with the time lost already, we can’t let short-termism and political opportunism hold us back any longer.
The Paris Games were an incredible global spectacle that has only piled on the pressure of what Brisbane can achieve by comparison.
Paris was the result of some incredible planning, which at the outset clearly set out to take advantage of the city’s famous historical landmarks.
It would be a mistake for Brisbane to try an emulate the likes of Paris, LA, Tokyo – or London for that matter. They’re all massive, historic and globally recognised destinations with many landmarks.
Brisbane, on the other hand, will be one of the smallest host cities in the history of the Games
We’re also a destination that isn’t well known. We’ve got a lot more to gain if we get it right.
Brisbane 2032 will be different. But that’s not a bad thing. We need to make it “good-different”.
Most importantly, Brisbane 2032 needs to embrace what is so special and unique about our city, our region and our state: our unique environment and natural attractions, our outdoor lifestyle and fantastic subtropical climate, our vibrant entertainment precincts. And most importantly, our friendly, welcoming people.
While tragically one in four days before the Brisbane 2032 Games might have passed by already, I’m incredibly optimistic about the future – and I am incredibly determined that Brisbane 2032 will be amazing.
I’m determined for the world to fall in love with a modern, vibrant, friendly city in Australia called Brisbane. And through our plans for the expansion of the Metro services beyond the inner-city, I am also determined to deliver a lasting transport legacy with benefits for all of us long after the Games have moved on.
Originally published as Opinion: Olympic planning needs to click into gear with 1135 days down, 2887 to go
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