Surf lifesaving branch president Tim Ryan wants Olympic Games on Sunshine Coast beaches

Key Sunshine Coast identities have thrown their support behind international life saving’s bid to enter the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games as they outline the key reasons it should be held on our beaches.

Sunshine Coast bid to host surf lifesaving events amid 2032 Brisbane Olympics. Pictures: John McCutcheon and SLSA.

Olympic support is continuing to grow for the sport of surf lifesaving and the Sunshine Coast region wants their name up in lights as they bid to host events for the 2032 Brisbane games.

With 150 national organisations including Finland, Austria, Albania, Bangladesh and Cameroon, 30 million members and major competitions like world and European championships already in play, athletes from around the world are ready to answer the Olympic call in a sport they believe will add enormous value, produce great television ratings and appeal to a new legion of young fans.

The first step will be in August with the international surf lifesaving showcasing their product through the 2024 world championships on the Gold Coast.

The ocean man and ocean woman events - basically rebranded ironman and ironwoman racing - plus a mixed teams race will be three of the blue riband events at the life saving world titles at Broadbeach.

The 18 day event will be contested by 5000 athletes from 50 countries and used to help promote and garner further support for the sport’s bid for Olympic inclusion.

Action from day seven of the 2024 Aussies. Picture: SLSA

International life saving president Graham Ford said he was confident the sport has met all requirements to be up for consideration, ticking off such things as creating an athletes commission, gender equity and having the required countries involved.

“We are very confident we have met all 35 requirements,’’ said Ford, who has been in constant contact with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as he helps co-ordinate the sports campaign.

With the recent Aussies surf lifesaving championships being held on the Sunshine Coast, branch president Tim Ryan OAM believes there’s no better place to showcase the sport on the world stage.

“It’s sensational news and fantastic for our region as I’m going to push very hard to have it here,” he said.

Olympic hopeful Lani Pallister alongside Emma Woods and Tayla Halliday after their victory in the open taplin final at Aussies 2024. Picture: SLSA

“I suppose Tom Tate on the Gold Coast and other places will too but I’ll be throwing our hat in the ring that’s for sure because I don’t see why it shouldn’t be here.”

Ryan, a former Maroochydore SLSC president, said he hoped the current crop of rising athletes could be exciting for the future.

“Seeing the youth competing at Aussies the other week was fantastic and the general support from the community was amazing,” he said.

“To see the wider surf lifesaving community helping, coaching, supporting everyone was unreal to watch and I can only see it growing even further after this news.

“The kids coming through now will be the ones looking towards the 2032 Olympics so it’s a special buzz at the moment.”

Originally published as Surf lifesaving branch president Tim Ryan wants Olympic Games on Sunshine Coast beaches