Brisbane Olympics 2032: Key Coast figures speak out as IOC progresses bid

Key Coast figures in the push for a 2032 Olympic bid which would deliver venues, events and infrastructure to the region have spoken out.

Excitement is building among key figures behind the push for a southeast Queensland Olympics to showcase the region in 11 years’ time.

Fairfax MP Ted O’Brien said it was a “great honour” to have passed the latest test and be given the green light from the International Olympic Committee executive board to proceed the bid to the final stage.

“We’ve reached the most critical phase of the process and we’re now in the hands of the IOC members, so it will be up to them to decide our fate,” Mr O’Brien said.

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“Our destiny relies on the judgment of those IOC Members.

“The excitement within the bid team continues to grow with the passing of each successful stage, but we remain well-grounded because the process is far from over.”

The International Olympic Committee executive board recommended in the early hours of Friday to put the Brisbane bid to a full vote in July.

It meant if the bid could win the backing of a majority of the more than 100 Committee members, the Games could be secured within weeks, with final scrutiny to take place on July 20-21 ahead of the Tokyo Games.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson said he hoped the vote by full Committee members in July was positive, but if not they were “prepared for all contingencies”.

“If that future vote supports the Brisbane 2032 ambition, it will result in further detailed planning for key infrastructure that is needed to support the liveability and connectivity of south east Queensland, which is the fastest-growing region in Australia,” Mr Jamieson said.

“Our key approach from Day 1 in 2015 – and one that has never changed – has been on securing the investment needed to support the communities of southeast Queensland as they continue to grow.

“With this proposal, all partners have recognised that hosting the Games should provide a legacy 10 years before and 10 years after the Games events.”

He said personally his efforts over the past six years had been driven by a single objective – “to secure the necessary and long overdue transport and infrastructure investment needed for our Sunshine Coast”.

The Council of Mayors (SEQ) chairman and Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the organisation was honoured to have the proposal recommended to be put to members for a vote.

“If we are successful, it will deliver a decade of regional benefits for our communities, including a significant employment boost, along with billions of dollars in tourism and trade opportunities,” Mr Schrinner said.

Nine delegations to Canberra and more than 100 meetings with federal MPs have been undertaken since the push began back in March, 2015.

“We know a 2032 Games can only succeed if the state and federal government deliver a significant investment in transport infrastructure and we will continue to advocate for these projects to ensure local mums and dads can spend more time at home and less time stuck in traffic,” Mr Schrinner said.

Originally published as Brisbane Olympics 2032: Key Coast figures speak out as IOC progresses bid