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Brisbane will host the 2032 Olympic Games after the International Olympic Committee rubber stamped the only contender in Tokyo on Wednesday night.
The chief of Australia’s Olympic Committee John Coates, along with Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, federal Sports Minister Richard Colbeck and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk answered questions from IOC officials, after outlining the bid.
The questions ranged from Brisbane’s commitment to host a climate conscious Games, to venues to be used within the state and the weather during the propsed winter time frame for the event. They were also asked if future governments would back the Olympics if there was political change.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, watching from home, gave two thumbs up as a live site in Brisbane watched a fireworks display.
Brisbane becomes the third Australian city after Melbourne in 1956 and Sydney 2000 to win the rights to host the Olympics.
WATCH: The moment International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach announced Brisbane will host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. pic.twitter.com/aMCnG4oHI2
— Tyson Whelan (@tyson_whelan) July 21, 2021
Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games president Hashimoto Seiko congratulated Brisbane on its winning bid.
“My heartfelt congratulations go to the people of Brisbane and Australia,” he said.
“Over the past year, the world’s sporting community has faced the multiple challenges of COVID-19; however, under the steadfast leadership of IOC president Thomas Bach, the Olympic movement has made steady progress, culminating in today’s decision in favour of Brisbane.”
The IOC revealed Brisbane received 72 of the 80 available votes with three abstaining and five voting against a Brisbane Games.
Result of the host election for the XXXV Olympiad#IOCSession | #Brisbane2032 pic.twitter.com/Ns8xJg7F5f
— IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) July 21, 2021
The city being awarded the Games became a formality when the Executive Board last month approved Brisbane candidacy. It meant it was the sole candidate presented to the IOC session for consideration.
“It’s a historic day not just for Brisbane and Queensland, but for the entire country,” Morrison, who addressed the IOC from Canberra, said.
“It also marks an important leap forward for Australia as we look toward major events that lock in economic growth and social benefits that will echo for years to come.
“We know the impact on Sydney more than two decades ago was transformative. We can now expect a repeat for Brisbane and communities across Queensland.”
Coates, who is also an IOC vice-president, dubbed Brisbane “the together games” mixing modernity and the Olympics’ 136-year-old ideals.
He said the Games in 2032 were in good hands.
“The Olympic Games in Brisbane will be in the most diligent, grateful and enthusiastic hands,” Coates said after the vote.
“And I make this commitment to the athletes of the world – we will provide you with an unforgettable experience.”
Paralympics Australia President Jock O’Callaghan said Brisbane 2032 would reinforce the Paralympic movement’s strength in demonstrating what people with a disability can achieve.
“The Paralympics has grown to become far and away the world’s biggest event for promoting inclusion, a global showcase of the true value of sport,” O’Callaghan said.
“This means that hosting the Games opens up extensive opportunities.”
While fireworks erupted in Brisbane, the reaction was more muted with the city confirmed back in February as the preferred host city and awarded exclusive negotiation rights ahead of its bidding rivals.
The IOC overhauled its bidding rules in 2019 to reduce costs and avoid pitting candidates against each other.
The city’s bid had earlier earned praise from the IOC for its high percentage of existing venues encompassing south-east Queensland, support from all levels of government and the private sector, experience in organising major events and its favourable weather.
Australia will become only the second country after the United States to host the Summer Olympics in three different cities.
The decision was celebrated on social media in Australia.
We did it!
The Olympic and Paralympic Games are coming back to Australia. #Brisbane2032@Olympics | @Paralympics | @Queensland | @brisbanecityqld | @ausgov | #SEQMayors | @AUSParalympics pic.twitter.com/6cPxTy32Hv
— AUS Olympic Team (@AUSOlympicTeam) July 21, 2021
The winner is … Brisbane!
The 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games are coming to Australia ???? pic.twitter.com/ROvHMRNTIh
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) July 21, 2021
With AAP