Aussie Olympic Bid Gathers Steam

(ATR) A bid from Queensland for the 2032 Olympic Games takes an important next step.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison convened a meeting of government leaders from Queensland Thursday. The 2032 Olympic Candidature Leadership Group includes Morrison, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and representatives of South East Queensland municipal governments.

The meeting was intended to show government backing for a bid ahead of a September meeting at IOC headquarters in Lausanne between bid leaders and IOC President Thomas Bach.

While the Olympic plans for Queensland are centered in Brisbane, the meeting was held in Cairns, the tropical city in the north of the state.

"Today was an outstanding start and strong display of unity," said Australian Olympic Committee President John Coates in a statement.

"My thanks and congratulations to the Prime Minister for his initiative in establishing the leadership group. The leadership group will ensure a disciplined approach and alignment between all levels of government," said Coates.

Coates, also an IOC member, led a working group in the past year that has developed new criteria and procedures for Olympic bids to follow at the IOC. The new approach calls for intensivecollaboration between prospective host cities and the IOC to develop blueprints for the Games that are a comfortable fit.

The new bid process eliminates the structure of filing deadlines, bid books and IOC evaluation commission visits. Two new permanent IOC commissions will be formed soon to handle bids, one for summer and another for winter.

"We know Queensland and Australia has the capability and experience to host an Olympic Games in this country for a third time but must ensure that all planning is aligned with Queensland’s long-term requirements, particularly transport infrastructure, including fast rail, community well-being and grass roots sports," said Coates.

Initial studies indicate that transport improvements may be Queensland’s biggest need to host an Olympics.

IOC President Thomas Bach has already had a look at the Olympic plans for Queensland. He visited the state in May to attend the SportAccord convention, meeting with government leaders to talk about their Olympic aspirations.

With the 2028 Olympics decided already for Los Angeles, 2032 will be the next summer Games to be picked by the IOC. Under the old timetable, that selection would be made in 2025. With the new procedure, the selection timing could change, perhaps with an earlier choice as with Los Angeles.

Other prospective bidders for 2032 are Kuala Lumpur, New Delhi, Korea and Russia.

Reported by Ed Hula.