The Brisbane Olympic bid looks like a slam dunk even months before a formal decision is made. In February, the IOC gave exclusive negotiating rights to Brisbane and the bidders were left high and dry. Despite a COVID-19 pandemic, a high-level Australian delegation was sent to Tokyo, headed by Brisbane mayor Annastacia Palaszczuk, Queensland premier Adrian Schrinner and federal sports minister Richard Colbeck.
The IOC gave Brisbane exclusive negotiating rights and confirmed the city in a 72-5 vote. The new bidding system aimed to cut costs, avoid controversy and minimize vote-buying, while ensuring that a reputable bidder was selected. The new bidding process also aimed to solve the problem of a lack of serious contenders, although several countries were in the running for 2024.
In a decision to hold the games in Brisbane, the IOC also endorsed the city’s bid for the 2032 Olympics. Brisbane’s bid utilised 84 per cent of existing venues, and temporary facilities. In addition to using temporary venues, Brisbane has also proposed rebuilding The Gabba cricket ground. If approved, it would become the third Australian city to host an Olympic Games.
Hosting the 2028 Olympics is an exciting prospect. The city is already 80 per cent finished with stadiums, and billions of dollars have been allocated to construction. The city will have a strong infrastructure for the games, and the city will experience a significant economic boost. However, there are many uncertainties surrounding the Olympic bid process. While there are some benefits, Brisbane has the biggest challenges to overcome.
The 2032 Summer Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games were just announced in Australia. Brisbane was chosen as the host city after a one-city competition over rival bids. A live video link from Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s office signaled the city’s decision. The city then celebrated its win with fireworks. Los Angeles and Paris will be the next two destinations for the 2032 Games.
After hosting the 1956 and 2000 Summer Olympics in Australia, Sydney and Paris will host the Winter Olympics. Brisbane would be the third city in Australia to host the Olympics, following Melbourne in 1956 and Sydney in 2000. The city would also be the site of the Winter Olympics in 2028. The bid would be a win for the city as it will host the XXXV Olympiad. If approved, it would be Australia’s third summer games, a third-place finish to the Winter Games.
A successful bid would benefit the city and the region. The Australian government and the local government have pledged to split the costs of hosting the games and the associated infrastructure. The government will contribute up to 50% of the costs, and local governments will be required to raise billions of dollars in the process. This would make the entire process of planning and building the games in Brisbane an easy one. This bid would be the ideal chance for the city to showcase its booming economy and a world-class event.
While it is too early to confirm whether Brisbane will host the Summer Olympics, it has already been announced as the preferred bid for the Games. On 24 February, the Brisbane bid was officially announced as the preferred candidate. The IOC Executive Board gave formal approval to the bid. The Brisbane bid was the first to be chosen from a new bid process. Los Angeles, Paris, and Tokyo are all planned for 2028, so Brisbane is the ideal choice for a host city.
The IOC is currently in the process of introducing new sports, including netball. The introduction of skateboarding at the 2016 Winter Olympics was a great success, gaining new admirers and a greater sense of camaraderie among competitors. Netball, which has traditionally been associated with female dominance, is gaining male participation year-on-year. So there is plenty of time to prepare for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.