Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has promised the entire state will share the glory and economic boost if Brisbane is awarded the 2032 Olympics.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Games look set to return to Australia in 11 years time with Brisbane and Queensland installed as preferred bidder by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) following an executive committee meeting.
Brisbane, if successful, would be the third Australian city to host the Games after Melbourne had the honour in 1956 and Sydney in 2000.
Ms Palaszczuk has promised the whole state will benefit.
She says she hasn't decided whether the bid will be styled as Brisbane 2032 or something wider such as Brisbane and southeast Queensland 2032.
"There's opportunities for Ispwich, for Logan, Redlands, Brisbane and of course the Gold Coast," Ms Palaszczuk told reporters.
"It was the fact that we held such a highly-successful Commonwealth Games that everyone started to talk ... about the potential of an Olympics because it was done so spectacularly."
She said the government was looking at a new purpose-built stadium in Brisbane but was open to using the existing one at Carrara on the Gold Coast.
The premier promised the regions won't be left out either, with some soccer matches already set for regional areas.
She's optimistic the Games will boost the Queensland's tourism profile as well.
"Of course all of the state will share in Olympic glory so we want to make sure this is inclusive in Queensland and that we all have a part of hisotry here," she said.
"To have Queensland and Brisbane firmly on the international map, think what that will do for our future, especially when the international borders by 2032 will definitelty be open."
She brushed off concerns about the state's ability to pay for the Games or whether it was a worthy investment.
Ms Palaszczuk said Queensland already had an infrastructure pipeline of $56 billion over the next four years, and she noted the 2018 Commonwealth Games venues were still being utilised by the community.
"If we can have a legacy that benefits everyone, I think it's going to hold the state in a really good position," she said.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the decision was a vindication for South East Queensland Mayors.
The lobby group launched the Olympic campaign six years ago partly to boost state investment in transport infrastructure.
"It's amazing to hear the International Olympic Committee acknowledges South East Queensland has what it takes to host an Olympic and Paralympic Games," Lord Mayor Schrinner said.
"When we started this journey almost six years ago to the day, many people were sceptical. Now we're one step away from being named as the host of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
"Today is not the time however to get over-excited, there is still plenty of work to be done."
Australian Associated Press