The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has welcomed Brisbane’s success in being chosen to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, suggesting they offer an opportunity to unite the nation through sport.
Chair of the ASC, Josephine Sukkar said while it would be the third time Australia hosted the Games, this would be by far the longest lead-up — by contrast Sydney was announced as host in 1993, seven years before the 2000 Games.
“When you consider how successful Sydney 2000 was and how those Games still carry an enormous legacy today, the extended build-up to Brisbane 2032 is an incredible opportunity to again unite Australia through sport,” Ms Sukkar said.
“For a lucky few, competing in Brisbane will represent an opportunity of a lifetime,” she said.
“All of us, however, can benefit from the positive influence of a home Games if we embrace it.”
Ms Sukkar said it was a chance to drive sport participation, reinvigorate volunteering, elevate sporting heroes and continue building on the vision for sustainable success across Australian sport.
“There is a golden decade of major sporting events on home soil ahead, with world cups or world championships locked in for basketball, cricket, football and netball, to name some,” she said.
“Every sport needs to take advantage of this generational opportunity to capture the hearts and minds of Australians.
“We are ready for this moment.”
Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), Peter Conde said the AIS, along with the National Institute Network, national sporting organisations and other high-performance partners, had already set strong foundations for a united push towards Brisbane 2032.
“The National High Performance Sport Strategy 2024, signed by all States and Territories in 2019, is a great head-start in setting a clear and collective vision for Australian high-performance sport,” Mr Conde said.
“We now have a very strong incentive to produce an even more ambitious Strategy with a 2036-plus timeframe to ensure we not only take full advantage of the opportunity for a 2032 home Games, but that we do so with an eye firmly on the legacy beyond,” he said.
