Olympic bid remains strong despite rumours of Japanese takeover

2032 South East Queensland Olympic bid remains strong despite rumors of a japanese takeover should the 2021 games be cancelled.

Mayor Mark Jamieson has stamped out concerns Japan will try to take the 2032 Olympic Games should their own be cancelled.

It has been reported the Japanese government was considering cancelling the postponed Games due to start in July switching their focus to 2032, coinciding with the South East Queensland bid

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The Sunshine Coast Mayor, who is part of the 2032 bid team, said the Olympics was all about competition.

"You've got to be prepared to meet whatever the competition is and in terms of the SEQ Olympic bid for 2032 it's very much alive and prospering," he said.

"We recognise that there will be others recognised in that period and whether that proves to be Tokyo or not I don't know.

"One of the great things about the Olympic movement is they don't encourage open competition among candidates.

"We leave that to the athletics track, swimming pool and the various other sporting arenas."

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) and the Japanese government have each insisted publicly that the games will go ahead.

Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga told parliament on Monday preparations for the games would go ahead.

"We will have full anti-infection measures in place and proceed with preparation with a determination to achieve the Games that can deliver hope and courage throughout the world."

Australian Olympic Committee chief Matt Carroll agreed saying the 2021 Tokyo Olympics are "definitely on".

"The flame will be lit on the 23rd of July," he said.

"We're all working hard here at the AOC to take the Australian team to Tokyo, our largest since 2000, and give them the best opportunity for success."

 

As for whether Australia could come to the rescue should the games be cancelled, the Mayor said the focus for the State and Australia remains firmly on 2032.

"I don't think there's been any doubt that we've been recognised around the world in dealing very well with the pandemic," he said.

"In reality I think it takes a decade to prepare for the Olympics with all that needs to be done."

The Mayor said at the end of the day his concern was with the athletes affected, of which the Sunshine Coast has many.

"I feel very saddened for those athletes who have been preparing initially for 2020," he said.

"I know recently some who decided to retire because they just couldn't put in another year's effort.

"It would be very difficult for some of them to swallow given the training regimes and personal discipline that goes into being one of the best in your field."

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