Out of the Olympic ring

Coast would have a satellite role if Games come

THE Gold Coast will play a “satellite” role in any Olympics bid for southeast Queensland but full political, public and business backing must be behind it, experts say.

The speculation comes as the International Olympic Committee’s most senior executives arrive on the Gold Coast for the International Sport Accord Conference, which will act as a pre-emptive showcase of southeast Queensland before a 2032 Olympic bid.

Wary of residual scepticism from the Commonwealth Games, CEO of Major Events International Dennis Mills said getting the public onside would be the key to the bid’s success.

“Get that business community involved and most people will go with it,” Mr Mills told the Bulletin. “When the business community is left behind that’s when the scepticism comes in, they don’t see the benefit for them.

“If you motivate local businesses that this is good for them, that means it’s good for the people within those businesses, it’s good for skills, but that doesn’t happen overnight.”

It is understood the Gold Coast’s two stadiums, Metricon and Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, other sporting facilities and golf courses are being offered up as venues for a 2032 Games, but Brisbane would play the role of the host city.

Despite the excitement and weekend delegate tours, the Gold Coast City Council has reserved its open support, citing interest in the concept but uncertainty about the execution.

Previously Mayor Tom Tate said he would not commit ratepayer funds to a bid but would offer venues up for training or Olympic competition.

“We’ve got great council and private facilities that could support events, and our hotels will be needed if that many people arrive,” a council spokesman said.

Former Commonwealth Games organising committee CEO Mark Peters said more public transport, including faster trains and more light rail, was needed to make using the Gold Coast as a satellite centre achievable.

“Transport becomes the key issue. The M1 is something that is going to be a bugbear all the time but everyone is well aware of it now. During the (Commonwealth) Games we didn’t have a problem with transport … there were a whole lot of things put in place that saw the M1 work,” he said.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is expected to sit down with IOC President Thomas Bach on the Gold Coast today.

Tokyo 2020 director of sales and planning Tetsuro Koga was among the delegates who toured the city’s major sporting venues yesterday.

BULLETIN VIEW, P16