Taking aim at Games ‘con’
Mayor says IOC attitude to ‘regional’ 2032 Olympics disappointing
Tom Tate has taken fresh aim at the International Olympic Committee, calling a review of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games a “debacle” and saying the public had been “conned” during the bid process.
The newly re-elected head of Gold Coast City Council said the state government’s decision to overlook existing venues in his city – in favour of upgrading older venues in Brisbane – flew in the face of 2032’s initial pitch as a “cost-neutral” and “regional games”.
The council made a lengthy submission to former Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk’s Games venues review, offering up existing Coast venues to save about $5bn on new infrastructure. The ideas were rejected.
“We see the debacle of the Quirk Review with the Gold Coast again ignored,” Mr Tate said.
“My strong view is, this behaviour from the IOC will be the end of the Olympics and Paralympics movement post 2032 because no country or region will ever trust the IOC again.”
A spokeswoman for Premier Steven Miles said the Gold Coast would play an important role in delivering the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032.
“Plans to use Broadbeach Park Stadium, Broadwater Parklands, Coomera Indoor Sports Centre, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gold Coast Sport and Leisure Centre and the Gold Coast Stadium remain unchanged,” she said.
“The Gold Coast will also be home to an Athletes Village in Robina.
“We look forward to working with Mayor Tom Tate, and all Mayors, to deliver the best ever Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032.”
Mr Tate said he had been assured in the lead-up to the bid that “without the Gold Coast, any regional SEQ bid would fail”.
“We are disappointed with the continual chopping and changing and potential squandering of a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Mr Tate said.
“Get back to the Games we promised Queensland from day one, a carbon-neutral, reMayor gional Games using 85 per cent existing venues, focusing on transport infrastructure.
“Under that proposition there were surveys done indicating 62 per cent public support but now the public is up in arms.”
Mr Tate said his submission was “not about a Gold Coast takeover”, but suggested existing venues like Gold Coast Aquatic Centre and Gold Coast Hockey Centre could be used to save money.
The criticism came as Mr Miles faced a grilling in parliament over claims his cabinet sought advice on whether to cancel the Olympic Games.