Australian Sports Commission welcomes South-East Queensland's recognition as preferred bid candidate for the 2032 Olympics

A 2032 South-East Queensland Olympic and Paralympic Games can be a “beautiful beacon on the hill for all Australians”, according to Australian Sports Commission (ASC) Chair Josephine Sukkar.

The ASC, comprising the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and Sport Australia, has welcomed a recommendation overnight from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that South-East Queensland is the preferred bid candidate for the 2032 Games, feeling that, although it does not confirm the bid as host for the 2032 Games, it is an important step as the IOC has announced it is advancing to “targeted dialogue” with the Brisbane 2032 Committee because of its “very advanced Games concept”.

Sukkar stated “this would be a beautiful beacon on the hill for all Australians to look towards.

“For the young boys and girls now enjoying their sport and dreaming of representing their country, this is an announcement that makes the possibility of a home Games more accessible and real. A home Games would be a driver for increased sport participation too.

“A home Games can also show the wonderful power of sport to influence lives and communities far beyond the competitive arena. I was lucky enough to be at the 2000 Sydney Olympics for Cathy Freeman’s gold medal race and for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. But my personal highlight are the memories of my late father, a volunteer doctor at the 2000 Games, who was able to enjoy that experience of a lifetime with thousands of other volunteers. I still have my father’s volunteer uniform from the Sydney Olympics and treasure it.”

Noting that Australia is well placed to host a successful Games, courtesy its united sporting system and a sharpened focus on athlete development, AIS Chief Executive, Peter Conde noted “there is no doubt that the build-up to Sydney 2000 united Australian sport and the AIS, along with our state and territory partners, have taken positive steps over the past few years to further enhance our collaboration.

“We now operate together as a National Institute Network and it was just over a year ago that we signed a united high performance strategy for the first time in history. This collective approach can become Australian sport’s greatest competitive advantage.

“We also commend the Australian Government for believing in the AIS vision and our future Australian athletes by boosting funding to development pathways and athlete wellbeing. That investment has given us a head-start on producing the Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games champions of the future.”

With COVID-19 has impacted sport participation and volunteering, Sport Australia acting Chief Executive, Rob Dalton said the next decade was shaping up as one of the most inspiring periods for Australian sport.

Dalton added “things have been tough, but we’ve said all along that sport will play a prominent role in lifting the nation’s energy and spirits again, and there are few events that can match the inspiration of a home Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Next year Australia will host the FIBA Women’s World Cup of Basketball, then in 2023, the FIFA Women’s World Cup. These all present wonderful opportunities for Australian sport to thrive over the next decade and beyond.”

Images: The IOC flag (top, credit: the IOC) and Australian Sports Commission Chair, Josephine Sukkar (below, credit: Australian Sports Commission).