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Southeast Queensland’s 2032 Olympics bid officially back on track

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has moved to revive a bid for the state’s southeast to host the 2032 Olympics after a pause in activity due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Dec 07, 2020, updated Dec 07, 2020
Australian Olympic Committee President John Coates. (Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

Australian Olympic Committee President John Coates. (Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

The premier said she would convene her 2032 taskforce in the new year and had sent a letter to International Olympics Committee president Thomas Bach asking for an update on the Tokyo Games, due next year

The 2032 bid has been a lower priority during the pandemic but Palaszczuk met with IOC vice-president John Coates on Monday to discuss the changing situation.

“It’s very important from a Queensland point of view that we get to see what happens with the Tokyo Olympics in this post-COVID world,” she said.

“And hopefully with the positive signs of the vaccine, things could be very positive in the future. So we’re here to keep an open mind.”

Coates said Prime Minister Scott Morrison had invited him and Bach to a private meeting during his official visit to Japan two weeks ago.

The IOC vice-president said during those talks Morrison was very supportive of Brisbane and south-east Queensland’s bid for the 2032 Olympics.

Coates said the IOC was in continuous dialogue with four or five other cities about the games, so it was important for Palaszczuk to indicate she wanted to move forward with the bid.

“I think with COVID under control in this country largely that it is time for everyone to reaffirm their commitment to these games, and I think that’s going to be very well received,” he said.

Southeast Queensland mayors also reaffirmed their backing for the 2032 bid, but warned they needed to bring an upgrade to critical transport infrastructure in the region

The Council of Mayors chair and Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner also met Coates on Monday

“The SEQ Mayors are mindful not to get carried away with the hype of an Olympic Games and to ensure a Games delivers tangible and lasting transport legacies for southeast Queensland,” Schrinner said in a statement.

“I don’t think anyone wants to see an Olympic Games delivered just for the sake of it – particularly not the mayors of South East Queensland.”

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