Olympic bid can’t ignore GC beach, surf assets

PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk believes the Gold Coast would be a perfect host of surfing and beach volleyball at a Queensland Olympics as a potential bid for 2032 gathers traction.

Ms Palaszczuk held toplevel talks about a Queensland Olympic bid with International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach and Australia’s own Olympic chief John Coates at Broadbeach on Tuesday night, which she described as “inspiring”.

After hosting the Commonwealth Games last year, Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has so far refused to spend ratepayer funds on an Olympic bid being supported by the South East Queensland Council of Mayors. However, he has admitted the city would consider spending money on temporary stadiums and grandstands should a Queensland bid be successful.

Speaking on the Gold Coast yesterday, Ms Palaszczuk said she would hate to see the Gold Coast miss out on being part of any Queensland Olympic campaign and the Glitter Strip would be well-suited to host surfing and beach volleyball.

“Next year in Tokyo, surfing is actually going to be part of the Olympics and I’m pretty sure there are a lot of beaches down here where the surfing could be held,” she said.

“We also held the beach volleyball down here at the Commonwealth Games, which was a tremendous success.”

Cr Tate yesterday stood by his decision to save Gold Coast ratepayers from any costs associated with a Queensland bid.

But he admitted the council would consider putting money towards the construction of temporary grandstands around any surfing or beach volleyball arenas or any other sports slated for the Gold Coast.

“Of course we will offer our venues up as locations for various sports should the bid be successful,” he said.

“If surfing or beach volleyball was a part of the 2032 program, nowhere in Australia can beat the Gold Coast as a backdrop for those sports.

“I’m confident the Council of 2032 would look at installing temporary stands for the Olympic surf rounds and finals or beach volleyball, but right now, we have done our heavy lifting by delivering an amazing Commonwealth Games.”