The Brisbane River has emerged as a leading contender for hosting the 2032 Olympics opening ceremony, with plans potentially culminating at Suncorp Stadium in Milton, following the innovative riverfront spectacle of Paris 2024.
This idea gained momentum shortly after the Paris 2024 Olympic opening ceremony along the Seine River.
Proponents argue that showcasing the river could offer a unique, quintessentially Brisbane experience while potentially accommodating larger crowds than traditional stadium venues. However, concerns have been raised about logistical challenges, including crowd management and potential environmental impacts on the river ecosystem.
The debate highlights the tension between creating a memorable, iconic event and ensuring practical, sustainable solutions for the Olympic Games.
Queensland Police Minister Mark Ryan supported a Brisbane River ceremony, emphasising the city’s identity as the “river city.” However, opposition figures, including Tim Nicholls MP, suggested leaving such decisions to experts. They acknowledged the river’s beauty while cautioning against hasty decisions.
Venue Capacity Concerns
Brisbane faces significant challenges with its current stadium options:
– Suncorp Stadium: Seats only 52,500 spectators
– QSAC at Nathan: Proposed upgrade would accommodate just 40,000
Comparison to recent Olympics:
– Sydney 2000: 112,000 spectators
– Athens 2004: 72,000 attendees
– Beijing 2008: 90,000 capacity
– London 2012: 80,000 spectators
– Los Angeles 2028 (planned): 70,240 capacity
Queensland has ruled out building a new stadium or rebuilding the Gabba for the 2032 Games, leaving organisers to grapple with capacity constraints.
Branding and Global Awareness
Brisbane 2032 Olympic organisers have unveiled their global branding tagline “Shine Brightest, Together” in a short promotional video. Shown to audiences in Paris, the clip features iconic Olympic moments and aerial shots of the Brisbane River but notably lacks substantial focus on Brisbane itself.
Andrew Liveris, Brisbane 2032 president, acknowledged the city’s low global brand awareness, comparing it to Barcelona before its Olympic hosting. He emphasised plans to showcase the region’s multicultural identity and integrate First Nations culture throughout the Games experience, promising more than tokenistic representation.
Planning and Legacy Concerns
A senate inquiry has been launched to examine Australia’s preparedness for the 2032 Games and the event’s potential sporting infrastructure legacy. This follows controversies surrounding venue decisions and communication issues between state and federal governments.
Former Sport Minister Richard Colbeck criticised the Queensland government’s handling of the Olympic bid, citing a lack of transparency and consultation in key decisions such as the now-scrapped Gabba rebuild plan. Colbeck claimed the federal government was “completely bushwhacked” by Queensland’s unilateral decision-making.
Community Impact and Co-Hosting
Brisbane’s original Olympic bid promised a statewide event, with co-host cities including the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and several regional centres. The official Olympics website still lists multiple regions as co-hosts, including Sydney and Melbourne, emphasising the Games’ potential widespread impact.
With three years until Brisbane can officially sign up sponsors, the organising committee is using this time to build global awareness and refine their vision for the 2032 Olympics.
Published 29-July-2024
