2032 Olympics: Sunshine Coast celebrates 2032 Games with Olympic hopefuls ready to compete

Despite the chilly temperatures hundreds turned out to celebrate Queensland’s successful bid for the 2032 Olympic Games. WATCH THE VIDEO

The amphitheatre at Kings Beach erupted as a large crowd celebrated the moment it was announced Queensland would host the 2032 Olympic Games.

Hundreds of people braved chilly temperatures at the amphitheatre to watch International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach make the livestreamed announcement on Wednesday night.

Scenes at Kings Beach Caloundra as Brisbane is announced as the host of the 2032 Olympic Games. Picture Lachie Millard

Olympic swimmer Tessa Wallace who was among the crowd said it was great to see the community turn out in support.

“It’s really exciting,” she said.

“It’s absolutely unbelievable, to have the opportunity if I was younger it would’ve been such a motivational goal for me to have an Olympics in my hometown.

“Hopefully it will inspire kids to get out there, get into sport and have some fun and also have idols around them.”

Sarah Wallace 18, and Olympian Tessa Wallace 27, at the Olympic Live site at Kings Beach. Picture Lachie Millard

Residents were glued to a large screen at the amphitheatre televising the announcement of the decision live as the amphitheatre was covered in yellow and green.

Scott Wooldridge’s daughters Erin and Ella Wooldridge are Olympics hopefuls.

He said the idea of watching his daughters compete on home turf was amazing.

“It’s awesome we had a great time here and it’s good Australia’s finally got the Olympic Games,” he said.

“We’re already talking about going to the opening ceremony.”

Sisters, Triathletes and 2032 Olympic hopefuls Erin and Ella Wooldridge celebrate at Kings Beach as Brisbane is announced as the host of the 2032 Olympic Games. Picture Lachie Millard

The Sunshine Coast will play a vital role in the Olympics, with the region locked in to host several events.

Brisbane was named the preferred host earlier in 2021.

Australian squad member Erin Wooldridge, 18, couldn’t believe the result, saying the 2032 Olympics were now firmly in her sights.

“I’m really excited. The Olympics is one of my dreams,” she said.

“It would be an absolute dream if I could go there, to have it here would be a dream.

“This could be me here competing, it’s incredible.”

12 year old Mikalah Dill celebrates at Kings Beach as Brisbane is announced as the host of the 2032 Olympic Games. Picture Lachie Millard

The news the Olympics would come to Queensland was a welcome relief after a shadow of doubt was cast earlier on Wednesday with the IOC warning the Aussie bid could be “back in the pot” to battle with Qatar, Budapest and Korea.

Australia now becomes only the second country after the United States to host Summer Games in three different cities after Melbourne hosted 1956 and Sydney hosted 2000.

Mother and daughter duo Mikalah and Merrilee Dill were leaping with joy at the news.

Mikalah, 12, is a gymnast with one goal in mind – the 2032 Olympics competing in her home state.

“I’m really excited, we’ll get to see all the athletes competing and it’s just going to be great,” she said.

Her mum Merrilee Dill said she had rushed straight from gymnastics training to watch the announcement.

“It’s incredible, she could be here competing,” she said.

The Olympic Live site at Kings Beach. Picture: Lachie Millard

Feasibility study documents for Brisbane’s bid revealed earlier in 2021 that four venues were planned for the Sunshine Coast.

A Sunshine Coast convention centre could host basketball matches, with a 6000-person capacity and a media centre, while the Sunshine Coast Mountain Bike Park could accommodate 10,000 spectators.

The study also said an upgraded stadium with capacity for 20,000 people could host football matches.

Originally published as 2032 Olympics: Sunshine Coast celebrates 2032 Games with Olympic hopefuls ready to compete