That was a refrain I was hearing in 1986 when I was in Australia for the World Eventing Championships (the World Equestrian Games had not yet been invented.) But despite the catchy chant, Brisbane lost out on the 1992 Olympics, which went to Barcelona, although Australia eventually did get the Games eight years later, in Sydney.
Now, however, all those years of angling to be an Olympic host may pay off with the 2032 Games going to Brisbane.
Its ability to be “ready” is now considered a big plus, and the International Olympic Committee’s executive board today decided its Future Host Commission should start a “targeted dialogue” about the topic, although the conversation is characterized as non-committal and exploratory. Other National Olympic Committees, including Germany, that expressed interest in being a 2032 host were not ready to enter the targeted dialogue at this point.
Although decisions on Olympic hosts in recent times were usually taken seven years in advance, the move to advance the process is due to “the uncertainty the world is facing right now,” which is expected to continue even after the Covid crisis ends.
The IOC’s Future Host Commission will now start the targeted dialogue with the Brisbane 2032 Committee and the Australian Olympic Committee.Should all the requirements are met, the IOC executive board can propose election of the host of the 2032 Games to the IOC Session. If the discussions are not successfully concluded, Brisbane 2032 will rejoin the continuous dialogue.
The Future Host Commission also will continue dialogue with the other interested parties, in order to further develop their projects, be it for the Olympic Games 2032 if the dialogue with Brisbane is not successful, or for the Olympic Games 2036 and other future Olympic events.
Among the main reasons why Brisbane 2032 was proposed for the targeted dialogue are the very advanced Games concept using 80 to 90 per cent existing or temporary venues, the venue masterplan, and the excellent climate conditions for athletes in July and August.
Citing the success of the Sydney Games, IOC President Thomas Bach said, “We decided to seize an opportunity to take to the next stage our discussions about returning 32 years later.