2032 Olympic Games: Brisbane bid sparks jubilation from Sunshine Coast business, sport figures

Three-time Olympian Alana Quade, former Olympic boxer Brad Hore and Sunshine Coast business leader Sandy Zubrinich have welcomed news of the successful 2032 Games bid in the southeast.

Former Olympic Pole Vaulter Alanah Boyd (now Quade) with 15-month-old Charlotte at the Olympic Live site at Kings Beach. Picture: Lachie Millard

A former Olympic boxer and Indigenous role model has urged Sunshine Coast children to “dream big” after the region’s Games dream became reality.

Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic bid was endorsed by the International Olympic Committee on Wednesday evening, sparking scenes of celebration across the southeast.

Sunshine Coast boxer Brad Hore represented Australia at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics.

He was ecstatic when he heard the news of the winning 2032 bid.

“Having the Olympic Games in Brisbane is going to be huge,” he said.

“For kids at the age of 12 upwards who have big goals, they should be focusing on the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.

Brad Hore, Olympic boxer and Olympic Indigenous Advisory Committee member, is ecstatic after Brisbane's 2032 Olympic bid was successful.

“To have a home Games is unbelievable, I still remember when Sydney won it and now I get opportunity to see Brisbane win it.

“The Sunshine Coast has a good sporting history and I really hope the community on the Sunshine Coast supports this and gets our kids back in the sport. Dream big.”

Three-time Olympian Alana Quade (nee Boyd) was watching the announcement at the Kings Beach amphitheatre on Wednesday.

She said the win meant a lot for the region.

“In 11 years time we’ll be hosting events here and going down to Brisbane to watch the Olympic Games … it’s a bit surreal,” he said.

“It can only be good for the area and it will be great for young and up and coming sportspeople.

“And (it will) inspire a new generation of athletes on the Sunshine Coast.”

The mother of two was thrilled to be attending the historic event with Charlotte, 15 months and Matilda, 2 years, hoping the moment may provide a little inspiration.

“I remember going to watch the Sydney Olympics, I was 16 at the time and that was really inspiring for me,’ she said.

“I then competed in the Olympics eight years later so hopefully if they’re so inclined and they want to play sport then hopefully it will be inspiring for them.”

Sunshine Coast Business Council chairwoman Sandy Zubrinich.

Sunshine Coast Business Council chairwoman Sandy Zubrinich said she thought hosting Olympic events and associated activities would be good for the region.

She said it would provide a kickstart for the delivery of more 5-star resorts in the region as well as bringing transport infrastructure back up to standard to ensure the region was more accessible.

“It should be a shot in the arm for the state,” Ms Zubrinich said.

Ms Zubrinich said the history of the Olympics was that the events had driven generational change and it was important the region needed to turn it “into an economic boom” and maximise the benefits.

Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson said the IOC’s announcement was the result of more than six years’ of hard work from all levels of government.

He said it was a “historic day” but the real work would now begin.

“I am extremely proud and humbled that the proposals first developed by the mayors of south east Queensland back in 2015 have come to fruition,” he said.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Brisbane and for our Sunshine Coast.”

Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien, who has served as the Prime Minister’s representative for the Queensland bid, said hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games will see “a decade-long runway paved in green and gold all the way to 2032”.

“Hosting the 2032 Olympics will not only inject billions into the economy, it will also create around 120,000 new jobs, including 90,000 jobs for Queenslanders,”he said.

“Local companies and businesses right across Queensland should take the opportunities which will come over the next decade to contribute to the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“For Queenslanders, this is our moment and it’s now up to us to make the most of it.”

Originally published as 2032 Olympic Games: Brisbane bid sparks jubilation from Sunshine Coast business, sport figures