The event may seem distant. Almost ten years. A whole world. But Brisbane, capital of Australian Queensland, can already boast of being one of the Olympic cities. After Melbourne in 1956, then Sydney in 2000, it will host the Olympic and Paralympic meetings in 2032.
With what objectives and what challenges to meet? For what inheritance? Present this week in Lausanne for the Smartcities & Sport Summit (October 24 to 26), the deputy mayor of Brisbane, Krista Adams, answered questions from FrancsJeux.
FrancsJeux : What priority legacy do you expect from the Summer Games in 2032?
Krista Adams : A boom in tourism, particularly international tourism. Brisbane is a beautiful city, located in a beautiful region. But to want to come and visit it, you must first know it. The Summer Games in 2032 will allow us to show the rest of the world who we are, where we are and how to come to Queensland. This ambition was always at the top of our priorities during the application phase. It will allow us to count on strong support from local economic players over the next ten years. They will support us because they understand the full tourism impact of the Olympic Games. The rest, including the infrastructure, we already have and do not need to build.
What will be your biggest challenge in the run-up to the Games in 2032?
Getting everyone working together, at all levels of the pyramid, until the time of the Games. Ten years is a long time. You shouldn't start too quickly, but also don't start too slowly. We need to start now, get things in place, and then maintain our pace and unity year after year.
The issue of transport is crucial to the success of the Games. How do you approach it in a medium-sized city like Brisbane?
This question is indeed decisive. For the Games, but also for the future of the city. She was even the first reason for our desire to submit a candidacy for the Olympic Games. Brisbane is now the capital of one of the fastest growing states in Australia. For this constantly growing population, we need a modern and efficient transport network. We already have a dense and efficient bus system, we will soon strengthen the possibilities of crossing the river. There is a lot of work to be done before the 2032 Games, but all public authorities, at the local, state and national levels, are engaged in the project.
Has Brisbane already changed since the IOC awarded the Summer Games in 2032, voted by the session in July 2021?
It is still a little early to talk about real change. We are working on the best ideas to make the most of the event. But we already feel a sense of pride and hope among the population. People want to get involved in large numbers. They are starting to express it. They already see all the opportunities that the Games could create.
Has the awarding of the Summer Games already changed Brisbane’s image internationally?
If I believe the record number of searches for Brisbane on Google, after the award by the IOC, the image has already changed. The rest of the world now knows a little better where we are. And the phenomenon will increase. The Games in 2032 will increase our international recognition tenfold.
Does getting the Games so early in advance of the event, more than eleven years in advance, constitute a real advantage?
I think so. With the new IOC standard, it is no longer necessary to increase the number of constructions of new sites. In Brisbane, we will only have to build a stadium. We can therefore use this long preparation to work on subjects other than just sports equipment. In the case of Brisbane, on climate risks. Floods, first and foremost. They may occur, or not at all, very ahead of the Games or in the final months. It's very unpredictable. With ten years ahead of us, we can do things well to prevent these risks.
We are now less than two years away from the Paris 2024 Games. Among the OCOG's ideas or initiatives, have you selected any that could work at Brisbane 2032?
I was recently in Paris, I stayed for a week. I am very interested in the urban approach to the 2024 Games. Like us, Paris will not have an Olympic park, unlike Sydney 2000, London 2012 or Los Angeles 2028. The French will use urban space for certain competitions. We will do the same in Brisbane. And, of course, I am seduced by their idea of moving the opening ceremony outside the stadium, on the Seine, with 600.000 spectators. It's fantastic. I believe we could do the same thing in 2032 on the Brisbane River.
