Brisbane 2032 brings the Olympics back to Oceania

The Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) congratulate the city of Brisbane, the Queensland Government, the Government of Australia, and the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) for winning the bid to host the 2032 Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games, the Games of the XXXV Olympiad.

Brisbane 2032 is a win for Oceania

Dr Robin Mitchell, President of ONOC, said, “Brisbane 2032 is a great win for Oceania”.

“In many ways, a win for Australia in the Olympic Movement is a win for Oceania, especially its Small Island Developing States (SIDS).”

He added that this will be the third Summer Olympic Games that Australia will be hosting. It has hosted the Summer Games in Melbourne in 1956 and the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Now, with Brisbane winning the right to host the Games in 2032, it makes it Australia’s third, making it the only country to achieve this unique feat.

The continuing impact of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games

The Sydney 2000 Games was impactful for Oceania in that it led to the channelling of resources and support to small Pacific island countries. This led to the rapid growth of many National Olympic Committees and to the sporting movement in general.

Dr Mitchell said, “the Sydney Games were a change in that indigenous culture was recognised and visibly included in the design and offering of the Games. It was a true cultural event.”

“It was also the Games that allowed many athletes from Oceania to attend and we hope to repeat this feat in 2032.”

Continuing Australian support to ONOC and Pacific island countries

Dr Mitchell said that the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has always extended its hand of friendship to Oceania in taking part in the ONOC Shared Services Programme, where all NOCs pool resources for the duration of the Olympic Games, sharing in the communal sharing and cooperation.

‘This is also extended through the support Australia provides for sport in the Pacific islands region through its DFAT-supported programme, Team Up, which innovatively uses sport to address health, disability and other social development issues.”

He added that most recently, “the Government of Australia, through DFAT, assisted in the preparation and pre-Games training for Oceania athletes to Tokyo through its Pacific Australia Sports Partnership Programme.”

Given Brisbane 2032’s offering of a climate-positive Games, it also has positive implications for Pacific island countries who are at the frontlines of climate change.

Dr Mitchell concluded by saying, “overall, this is a huge achievement for Australia and we in Oceania are very pleased to have one of our members bring the Games home.”

“Again, congratulations Australia, and we will join you in welcoming the world to our continent in 2032.”