Olympics 2032 coming to the “deserving” Brisbane city Photo Courtesy: IANS

21 July was a historic day when out of the 80 Indian Olympic Committee (IOC) members, three abstained, five voted “no” and 72 voted “yes”, granting the hosting rights to Brisbane, the capital of the Sunshine State of Queensland, Australia. The large crowd that had gathered at the South Bank in Brisbane — including former Olympian Nat Cook, Sports Minister Stirling Hinchcliffe, Education Minister Grace Grace among others, Brisbane City Councillors, local artists, community leaders and enthusiastic locals — jumped in unison with joy, as soon as the news broke out and fireworks lit the majestic Brisbane skyline.

People choked with emotions, clapping and hugging each other celebrating the historic success for Brisbane and South East Queensland. Frankly speaking, the feeling of Brisbane becoming the third city after Melbourne (1956) and Sydney (2000) to be bestowed upon this honor is still sinking in.

An ecstatic Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that it was a “coup for the nation”, and a “historic day not just for Brisbane and Queensland, but for the entire country”. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk from Japan also said that it was a “historic day and all Queenslanders can be proud of this historic moment”. Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner who had accompanied the Premier and Australian Olympic Committee President John Coates to Tokyo said this was the “best opportunity that our city, our region and our state has had in generations.” Thomas Bach, President of IOC backing the IOC’s decision said that “Brisbane was a deserving host city”.

What seems to have clicked Brisbane the deal was the successful hosting of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, the high-profile 2014 G-20 Summit, previous hosting experience in 1956 and 2000, and above all the efficient handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. Throw into the mix, the existing sports facilities and venues, public transport network and infrastructure, law and order apparatus, flora and fauna, tropical climate and Australia’s global reputation as a sport loving nation.

It will be fair to posit that the success has come after years of planning wherein the three levels of the government — federal, state and council worked in unison to back the bid at every step.

It is now being anticipated that the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics will transform Brisbane’s destiny just as the Sydney Olympics did after the 2000 Games. Federal Minister Richard Colebeck said that the Games will be held in an “affordable, beneficial and sustainable manner for Queensland and Australia”. In the run up to the Games several international sporting events will be held to upgrade Brisbane’s current infrastructure and capabilities to organise the Olympics 2032 in a grand manner.

KPMG’s estimate suggests that the Games will yield $8.1 billion for Queensland and $17.6 billion for the federal exchequer in terms of economic and social benefits. Ted O’ Brien, the Prime Minister’s representative backing the bid says the Games will give an enormous boost to ‘construction, services, retail and hospitality sectors in Queensland and further augment the social benefits, health and wellbeing, social inclusion and accessibility for people with a disability’.

In sum, Brisbane 2032 Games will change the city’s and State’s fortunes for time memorial. And cherry on the cake — from 2032 onwards Brisbane will earn the tag of an Olympic city!