Hard to imagine. And yet. According to the television channel 9News Queensland, the idea of giving up on the Brisbane 2032 Games would have been considered by the Australian state authorities. To the point of engaging in a clever calculation of the expenses and gains to be expected from such a renunciation.
The information was revealed by a journalist from the channel, Tim Arvier, and presented as an exclusive to the television news. “ I can reveal that the Queensland Government has sought advice and considered canceling the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane”, explained the political issues specialist on set.
In question, the costs of the event, more particularly the construction of a stadium intended to host the ceremonies, or even the athletics events. Several options have been studied since the designation of Brisbane as host city for the Games in 2032: the demolition and reconstruction of the Gabba Stadium, the iconic cricket stadium; the construction of a new ultra-modern enclosure to leave a legacy to the city and its region; the modernization of already existing stadiums… The first idea is valued at 2,7 billion Australian dollars, the second at an even higher sum (3,4 billion). A significantly higher addition than expected during the application phase.
Always according 9News Queensland, the state government has reportedly inquired about the cost of simply abandoning the Brisbane 2032 Games. The answer is not simple, as the host city contract signed with the IOC does not specify any amount to be paid in case of renunciation. But the compensation costs could reach, and surely even exceed, 500 million Australian dollars (303 million euros). Queensland is also expected to draw a line under the promise of A$3 billion in funding from the federal government.
After placing the different figures in two separate columns, the Queensland authorities have finally decided to abandon the disaster scenario of renouncing the Olympics and Paralympics. It would have been decided that, on reflection, organizing the Games would present a “ best value for money for taxpayers”. Keeping the event would also have the merit of preserving the reputation of the state, and more broadly of Australia, damaged last year by Victoria's decision to give up the Commonwealth Games in 2026.
