2032 Games: Brisbane confirmed as Olympic and Paralympic host
- Published
The Gabba will be one of the main venues for the Games
Brisbane will host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games after being approved by the International Olympic Committee.
The Australian city was named the preferred bidder before being proposed by the IOC executive board in June.
It will be the third time the country has hosted the Olympics after Melbourne in 1956 and Sydney in 2000.
"It's a historic day not just for Brisbane and Queensland, but for the entire country," said Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
"Only global cities can secure the Olympic Games, so this is fitting recognition for Brisbane's standing across our region and the world."
The announcement was greeted by cheers from the Brisbane delegates at the IOC session in Tokyo while fireworks were set off in the Australian city, where people had gathered to await the vote.
"The International Olympic Committee has the honour to announce that the Games of the 35th Olympiad are awarded to Brisbane, Australia," said IOC president Thomas Bach.
The state of Queensland hosted the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the Brisbane bid was praised for its high percentage of existing venues, a good masterplan, experience in organising major events and its favourable weather.
The plans made use of 84% existing or temporary venues, with the Gabba cricket ground set to be rebuilt to become the lead venue.
The IOC changed its bidding rules in 2019 to reduce costs and make the process easier for cities.
Several cities and countries had expressed an interest in hosting the Games, including Indonesia, China, Doha in Qatar, Budapest in Hungary and Germany's Ruhr region.
Brisbane's victory looked a certainty after it was unanimously selected as the single candidate for 2032 by the IOC's 15-strong executive board.
"The Olympic Games in Brisbane will be in the most diligent, grateful and enthusiastic hands," said Australian Olympic Committee chief John Coates, who is an IOC vice-president.
"And I make this commitment to the athletes of the world - we will provide you with an unforgettable experience."
The decision means the IOC has now secured hosts for the next three Summer Games with Paris in France staging the 2024 Games and Los Angeles in the United States to host the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics.
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