Lifesavers carry torch to turn Olympic dream into reality

SURF Life Saving’s governing body is preparing a pitch to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the bid to include the sport at the Brisbane Games gathers steam.

Beach sports are part of Queensland’s DNA and there has been a groundswell of support for surf life saving’s ironman and ironwoman races to be included as a demonstration sport at the Olympics when Brisbane hosts the greatest show on Earth in 2032.

Representatives from the International Life Saving (ILS) Federation are actively engaged with the IOC in a bid to turn the dream into a reality.

The seeds were planted three years ago, while lifesaving officials gave IOC figures a demonstration during a sports events conference on the Gold Coast in 2019.

Lifesaving already has a strong international footprint, with competitors from almost 50 countries taking part in the 2018 world championships in Adelaide.

Next year’s event is slated for Italy, while the Gold Coast will play host in 2024.

The Gold and Sunshine coasts would both be in the frame as potential hosting duties if the sport was given the green light for Olympic competition.

In a statement, a spokesman for the ILS said the decision to award the 2032 Games to Brisbane represented a golden opportunity for the sport’s inclusion in the Olympic program.

“We supported the Queensland bid for the 2032 Olympics (and) we are now continuing with the work required to make a strong case for inclusion in 2032, and at the appropriate time will submit our sport for consideration to the IOC authorities,” he said. “We are working through the evaluation criteria that need to be met before a sport can be included.

While Brisbane remains the main focus for Olympic inclusion, LA in 2028 is also a tantalising prospect, due to California’s rich history of lifesaving tradition.