The International Olympic Committee has been forced to bend its own rules in confirming a major deadline for the 2032 Brisbane games due to the state government’s continuous political mishaps and poor planning.
The IOC aims to confirm the initial sports selection for the Olympic Games at least seven years prior to the events taking place, but for Brisbane the decision won’t be made until 2026, leaving contestants with just six years to prepare.
The decision for a one- year extension was announced on Tuesday, following discussions between the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee and the IOC.
In a statement, the IOC revealed the additional time is to provide Brisbane with an opportunity to work with its “delivery partners to review and validate critical sporting infrastructure projects which will play a pivotal role in the Games”.
Brisbane was announced as the host of the 2032 Games in July 2021, but political indecision and multi-year-long stadium debates have resulted in major delays and concerns about whether the state can efficiently organise the games.
In 2022, a rebuild of Gabba was first proposed as the centrepiece of the Games which would cost up to 3.4 billion dollars, but that idea was later quashed.
An independent panel also suggested the idea of building a new stadium at Victoria Park or reusing existing structures as Suncorp Stadium and Queensland’s Sports and Athletic Centre.
However, Victoria Park is understood to be the subject of recent debate.
In November last year, Premier David Crisafulli fired “the starting gun” by setting up a 100-day deadline to tackle political uncertainty and clarify a plan for the 2032 Games’ infrastructure.
The review included a number of guiding principles which would “maximize the use of existing venues” to “minimise new construction, thereby enhancing cost-efficiency and promoting sustainability”.
Mr Crisafulli made a pre-election promise and repeatedly rejected the idea of building a new venue for the Games which could cost billions of dollars amid soaring cost of living pressures.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he entirely supportive of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics but will remain “very clear” about funding being capped.
“We support the Brisbane arena, we support an indoor arena, not just because of what it will do for the Olympics but importantly as well provide an ongoing indoor venue for things like concerts and other activities,” he said.
“We have $3.5 billion on top of the Brisbane arena funding, there are 19 different smaller venues which we are providing support for but on top of that as well, it’s important to remember as we look to the success of Brisbane 2032, the billion dollars we are putting into high-level sports.”
A review of the 100-day deadline is due in March with Mr Crisafulli promising to reveal a final blueprint of the infrastructure plan next week.
The Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee will also have the opportunity, at a date later to be decided, to propose to the IOC one or more additional events from new sports once the initial sports program is finalised.
