Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic Games celebrations have taken an awkward turn with Australian Olympic Committee boss John Coates ordering Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to change her plans and attend Tokyo’s opening ceremony.
After controversially flying to Japan with Brisbane mayor Adrian Schrinner and Australian sports minister Richard Colbeck to accept the hosting duties, Palaszczuk had planned to watch the festivities from her hotel room on Friday evening.
But Coates set the trio straight in a bizarre press conference exchange after Brisbane was officially confirmed as the third Australian city to be granted hosting rights.
“You are going to the opening ceremony … as I understand, there will be an opening and closing ceremony in 2032 and all of you are going to get along there and understand the traditional parts of that, what’s involved in an opening ceremony, so none of you are staying behind and hiding in your rooms, alright?” Coates said.
“You’ve never been to the opening ceremony of an Olympic Games, have you? You don’t know the protocols, I think it’s a very important lesson for everyone here.
“The opening ceremonies cost in the order of $75 million to $100 million, it’s a major exercise for any organising committee.
“It puts a stamp on the Games.”
Palaszczuk sat in silence during Coates’ address, before saying she didn’t want to offend anyone.
Former Socceroo and social equality advocate Craig Foster tweeted Coates had shot to the “top of the medal tally in misogyny”, but the Premier attempted to play down the awkward back-and-forth on ABC News Breakfast on Thursday.
“My understanding is now that there is an expectation by both himself (Coates) as the head of the AOC and vice-president of the International Olympic Committee and Thomas Bach, the president (now that Brisbane has won the bid),” she said.
“If we didn’t have John Coates, this would not have happened.
“He has been able to get all levels of government to work together for us to have this bid and his engagement with the business community, his networks are absolutely phenomenal.”
At Thursday’s media briefing from Tokyo, Australian chef de mission Ian Chesterman said the pair “have a great respect for each other” but admitted he hadn’t seen the exchange.
“Can I just say they know each other very well … and I know that the premier is completely capable of making up her own mind about anything she wants to do as well,” he said.
Tokyo is facing a staggering financial loss with fans locked out and many of the Japanese population against the Games being staged during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Coates said many athletes still viewed the Games as the pinnacle of their sporting careers and Tokyo may “rate better on television in Australia than the Sydney Games”.
Organisers are hopeful the Brisbane Games will be cost-neutral, meaning no additional expense for taxpayers beyond a $4.5 billion budget covered by ticket sales, sponsorship and the IOC.
“This is ultimately a win for every single Queenslander,” Palaszczuk, who forecast $17 billion of economic benefit, said.
“This is going to set Queensland up for a golden age.
“It’s going to be a decade worth of investment. It is going to be a catalyst for change, opportunity … this is our moment to shine.”
stu
Guest
Rabbitz.....perhaps the comment or directive was staged as the premier is incapable of being truthful with the public in regards to her covid v trip to japan comments. I understand Coates also confirmed his comment was at her suggestion. To further this, the premier is a stooge told what to say and how to act by the grey suits behind her, she really ain't that well plugged in. Bit harsh? Someone has got to say it.
Mango Jack
Roar Guru
Alan Jones would be proud of Coates' performance. The tone, arrogant body language (arms crossed, reclining) and low jabs (hiding in your room), all directed at a woman in power, are straight from the Parrot's playbook. When whoever has the authority finally wakes up and sacks this old relic he can walk into a job at 2GB as their next crusty old shock jock.
Mango Jack
Roar Guru
All the criticism about politicians attending has been directed at AP. Don't forget that the Brisbane Lord Mayor and federal sports minister Richard Colbeck also went. I don't think any of them should have been there.
Croupier
Guest
The guy who came on a website and then took his time out to write about Craig Foster doesn’t care what Craig Foster thinks alright. It’s the truth alright, he doesn’t care what Craig Foster thinks…
The Sports Lover
Roar Rookie
SweatyProp
Roar Rookie
Get set for 11 years of mistruths, fudged budgets, political self interest and STATE DEBT. Just can't wait for the announcement of the cuddly critter that will signal the deluge of merchandise. The concept of winning the Olympics was bull, there was no competition, Brisbane was bequeathed them and the debt. Watching the jump for joy was the ultimate contrived media moment. It used to be about sport... a long time ago.
Objective
Guest
Who cares what Craig Foster thinks ? Palaczszuk can speak for herself, thanks Craig.
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
The latest report has Coates saying that it was all a joke. Silly me. I thought it was a serious tirade from a responsible long serving IOC person. I've made it clear that I am no supporter of Premier Anna and Labor, but it's very hard for me to see Coates' tirade as a joke. It was public humiliation of someone who didn't deserve it. This incident will define Coates' legacy as a represtative of one of the most parasitic organisations on the planet.
Jockstar
Guest
How many bribes would Coates of received in his Olympic life. Brisbane won the Olympics no wanted. Every Olympics makes a huge loss. Wait till Anna gets Covid with her extended Holiday and spreads it around Qld.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Anna should have put him in his place right then and there.
Tigranes
Guest
Coates has been in the role for decades and he is unlikely to change his approach for anyone anytime.
MH01
Guest
Wow just wow… you must be gutted you could not add racism to your post and only sexism . Where have you lived all your life …… IOC/FIFA are the most corrupt organizations in the world . The level of self entitlement and importance …. to them is above politicians ….. 100% he would carry on like that to a male premier, cause HE needs to go and it’s about HIM being important . You can drop the so 2021 , ism attack, and with a little study and self education, very quickly realize this is about the corrupt machine that is IOC, most privileged in the world , they are used to politicians kissing thier asses to host games .
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
How dare that upstart woman even consider not going to the ceremony? Seriously, how munged up is the world when sporting administrators can dictate to politicians, and not care that the world is watching? I bet if it was a male premier no such carry on would have happened. It's time the IOC joined the 21st Century and got rid of these dinosaurs.
Marty
Roar Rookie
And these are the arrogant and greedy individuals the Queensland govt is relying on to show a bit of self control and humility to keep the cost down. It’s laughable really.
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
This report is sure getting some coverage here in Queensland. Some commentators seem to think it was a crudely executed ploy to allow our Premier to attend the Opening ceremony after declaring several times that she would not be attending. Now I'm no fan of our Premier. But I lean towards the extraordinary public humiliation of our Premier being a demonstration of arrogance and power. If I'm anywhere near being right, then the IOC's President should publicly demand that Coates deliver a public grovelling apology. It won't happen because the IOC's currency is arrogance and greed.
Marty
Roar Rookie
What a load of self serving rubbish. $4.5 billion to host and $17 billion in benefits? Where did they get those figures from? Gee let me guess, perhaps an inner city marketing mob they paid to pluck a number out of the air based on their ‘modelling’. Five seconds of googling will tell it’s not based any historical fact. If you want to host the games fair enough but please, spare us from this ridiculous charade that it has any sort of financial benefit.