A six-year dream has become a reality with South East Queensland poised to be the epicentre of the sporting world in just over a decade when it hosts the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The news was welcomed by the region’s Mayors who started the Brisbane 2032 journey back in 2015 to bring forward infrastructure for the region.
Speaking from Tokyo where he made the final pitch to the IOC to secure the Games, South East Queensland Council of Mayors (SEQ) Chair and Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the IOC decision was reward for years of hard work and unprecedented collaboration.
“This is an historic decision that will help shape Brisbane and South East Queensland’s bright future, bring far greater global recognition to our amazing corner of the world and deliver for our residents today and tomorrow,” Cr Schrinner said.
“The Brisbane 2032 proposal is the perfect example of what can be achieved when all three levels of government work together.
“To stand in front of the IOC as three levels of government and deliver our final pitch, showed the IOC that these Games would be delivered on a united platform for the benefit of the community.
“For the region’s Mayors, this collaboration began more than six years ago, when we unanimously voted to investigate a regional Games that would help deliver much-needed transport infrastructure across the region.
“Our commitment has never wavered, and we welcomed the State and Federal Government joining the proposal in 2019, which helped us secure the right to host the world’s biggest sporting event.”
Cr Schrinner said the final pitch showcased the reason the region’s Mayors began investigating the Games – the children of South East Queensland.
“We started this journey to deliver for the future of the region and today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders, so they formed a key part of the final pitch,” Cr Schrinner said.
“These Games are set to deliver decades of benefits, including thousands of jobs that will be filled by the children of today and important infrastructure to help them get to their jobs and back home to their families faster and safer.”
Council of Mayors (SEQ) Director and Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson, who was the first person to meet face-to-face with IOC President Thomas Bach in April 2015 to discuss the original Games proposal, said the IOC decision was the start of an important chapter for the region.
“This is arguably, one of the most exciting announcements in South East Queensland’s history,” Cr Jamieson said.
“Everyone will remember where they were when Thomas Bach announced Brisbane as the winner, and I am proud to say I remember being there at the beginning of the journey when we made the brave decision to try and win the Games.
“While tonight’s news is exciting, let’s not forget the Mayors of south east Queensland started this journey as we saw this as the catalyst to deliver the infrastructure our region needs.
“Tomorrow is day one of planning the Games for 2032, so let’s get to work.”
BACKGROUND
- The Council of Mayors (SEQ) journey began 6 March 2015, when they unanimously resolved to investigate a regional Olympic and Paralympic Games.
- Just 12 days later they were in Canberra selling the benefits of a regional Games to Federal MPs.
- In all the Council of Mayors (SEQ) have taken part in nine delegations to Canberra and held more than 100 meetings with Federal Government MPs to convince them of the benefits of an SEQ regional Games.
- Immediately after the decision in March 2015, the Council of Mayors (SEQ) Chair had written to the Prime Minister, Premier and AOC President to invite all parties to work together on a proposal that delivers real benefits for the region and beyond.
- In February 2021, the IOC announced they were entering into Targeted Dialogue with the Brisbane 2032 Proposal, signifying it as preferred host for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
- Under the IOC’s New Norm principles, securing and hosting an Olympic and Paralympic Games has been made less expensive and more transparent. This approach focuses on using existing and planned venues rather than investing in new venues. More than 80 per cent of the venues needed to host the 2032 Games either exist or are already planned.