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Mayor Wants Brisbane To Host 2028 Olympic Games

Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, says Brisbane is the obvious choice as the next Australian host city, but he believes the bid will only succeed if it is hosted across the region, including the Gold and Sunshine coasts.

The Australian reports Quirk will add the bid proposal to the agenda of the next meeting of the Council of Mayors on March 6.

Fireworks over Sydney Harbor Bridge at 2000 Olympic Games
Fireworks over Sydney Harbor Bridge at 2000 Olympic Games

He told The Courier-Mail that Brisbane is ready to host the Olympics, but would need the financial support of the state and federal governments.  He said, “I think we’ve demonstrated that we are capable of staging a world event – staging it safely, successfully and with attention to detail.

“The reality with any Olympic bid is that we would simply be a co-operating partner as a city authority, the resourcing would come through the federal and state governments.

“We’d be co-operating partners and there has got to be a commitment from the state and federal governments before any bid proceeds and then it would be a question of determining the appropriate timing, given that probably 2028 would be a more realistic one to bid for.”

Quirk said a united front from southeast Queensland mayors would be a good starting point.

Former Queensland premier Peter Beattie told The Australian earlier this week he wanted Brisbane to host either the 2024 or 2028 Games, adding, “I think Brisbane could handle it.  I know they’re expensive to host, but the upside is that they help build infrastructure and drive the economy”.

Applications to bid for the 2024 Games are due to the IOC September 15; the 2028 bid process will begin in 2019.

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