Premier in pursuit of Olympic Games gold
PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk has talked up Queensland’s ability to host a future Olympics after touring Games facilities in Japan.
She flagged discussions with Olympic chiefs about a new cut-price approach to the world’s biggest sporting event, using temporary facilities which could be downscaled afterwards rather than building huge permanent venues.
“Early days but Sydney did the Olympics and I’m quite sure that it’s about time another city had the chance or another state had the chance, should I say,” Ms Palaszczuk told Channel 7’s Sunrise program from Tokyo.
The Southeast Queensland Council of Mayors has commissioned a feasibility study investigating a potential application to stage the 2032 Olympics. A bid has already received inprinciple support from the Australian Olympic Committee.
Tourism and Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones revealed she was already in talks with Olympic bosses.
“Certainly in my meetings with the IOC they are saying that they are now scouting cities that have great venues,” she said.
“They want to change the model of the Olympics going forward and their focus is very much on communities that have demonstrated that they can host large international multi-sport events but where they have seen significant investment in world-class infrastructure.”
The Premier said she wanted to hear Queenslanders’ views on a bid.
“I’m open for the conversation. But we are going to take the Queensland public and the Australian public with us,” she said.
“But it will only be if we can talk to the IOC (International Olympic Committee) about the size of the venues that are needed to keep the cost to an absolute minimum.”