All fair game

Olympics boss John Coates’ appearance at senate committee was illuminating

How do you solve a problem like the perception of the 2032 Olympic Games? The event, which was secured for South East Queensland in mid-2021, had near-universal support at the time and there was genuine excitement about what it would mean for us in the decade that followed.

Unfortunately things haven’t gone as well in recent years.

From questionable decisions by the government to a craven opposition smelling blood in the water ahead of an election and using its might to undermine the event and those behind it, the enthusiasm has curdled into something altogether unpleasant.

Throw in a cost-of-living crisis making spending on new stadiums unpalatable to voters and obvious dithering about decisions and funding for transport infrastructure and it’s no wonder people are frustrated with the state of the event.

This is a huge shame, given the opportunities the Olympics represents, not just from a financial, tourism and infrastructure point of view but something that will genuinely bring people together. Olympics supremo John Coates on Wednesday fronted the senate inquiry into whether Brisbane is prepared to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032.

The committee, largely made up of LNP senators with a political axe to grind against the Labor state government, put question after question to Mr Coates, who dodged the political pot shots to deliver some clear points.

Mr Coates said that there was still plenty of time to both plan the event and get the infrastructure built in time.

“I’m quite relaxed about where we are,” he said, pointing out Sydney 2000 didn’t have a masterplan until 1995.

He also revealed he had dissuaded Premier Steven Miles from using Carrara Stadium for athletics.

He said he told him of the “consequences” of such a decision, including needing to move the athletes to Robina.

It’s important that the public understands what has happened around the Games in recent years.

But it is far more important to put the politics to one side and focus on delivering these Games.

WRITE TO US: Make sure to include your name, address and phone number if verification is required. Only your name and suburb will be printed. Please note we reserve the right to edit letters for reasons such as clarity and length. PRIVACY POLICY: Our privacy policy at https:// preferences.news.com.au/privacy includes important information about our collection, use and disclosure of your personal information (including to provide you with targeted advertising based on your online activities). It explains that if you do not provide us with information we have requested from you, we may not be able to provide you with the goods and services you require. It also explains how you can access or seek correction of your personal information, how you can complain about a breach of the Australian Privacy Principles and how we will deal with a complaint of that nature.