Brisbane has officially been confirmed as the host of the 2032 Olympic Games.
The decision was made Wednesday night after a meeting of International Olympic Committee delegates in Tokyo.
The obviously thrilled Queensland delegation — which included Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, and Federal Sports Minister Richard Colbeck — had to refrain from hugging as they heard the announcement, due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions.
Brisbane erupted in fireworks as the announcement was made.
Following the announcement, Palaszczuk, Schrinner, and Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates formally signed the Olympics contract, making the 2023 games official.
Ms Palaszczuk said she was “so excited”.
“I have so much pride in my state for our people. Never in my lifetime did I think this was going to happen. It’s amazing,” the Premier said.
Brisbane just won the bid to host the 2032 Olympics! 🎉🎉🎉 pic.twitter.com/QyyFDF27wN
— PWR Lachlan ⚡️ (@LachlanYT) July 21, 2021
Coates said that “The Olympic Games in Brisbane will be in the most diligent, grateful and enthusiastic hands.”
“I make this commitment to the athletes of the world — we will provide you with an unforgettable experience.”
IOC president Thomas Bach said that Brisbane’s alignment with the Olympic agenda was among the top reason for the city’s successful bid.
“It’s a very sustainable project and it’s a project with a great legacy and it’s [a] project from a sports-loving nation and this is what it is all about, to see sports-loving Aussies facilitating the Olympic Games. I hope I can still make it till then to be there.”
The Olympic story is Queensland's story.
Brisbane 2032.
So proud of our state tonight 🙌
📸 Credit: AFP pic.twitter.com/lR1Idl5Pg4
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@a_palaszczuk) July 21, 2021
The 80 IOC delegates in Tokyo voted 72 to five in favour of Brisbane, with three abstentions.
The IOC chose the city for the Games due to its high levels of support from the government and private sector, Brisbane’s experience in handling major sporting events, and the warm Queensland weather.
This will be the third time that Australia will play host to the Olympic Games.
Melbourne was the host city for the 1956 Games and Sydney was the host for the 2000 Games, meaning by the time Brisbane rolls around it will have been 32 years since ‘Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!’ became part of our vernacular.
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