The International Olympic Committee has awarded Brisbane City the right to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032.
The announcement came after 72 of 80 IOC delegates voted for the capital saying Brisbane’s favourable weather, existing venues and experience hosting major events worked in its favour.
Its predicted the operating budget of the games will be $4.5 billion, with the IOC set to provide $2.5 billion, leaving the rest to be raised from ticket sales and sponsorship.
“This is an opportunity for the nation to truly decolonise and decentralise colonial values within an international sporting arena.”
Ruby Wharton
Proud Gomeroi Kooma woman Ruby Wharton from the Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance in Meanjin / Brisbane spoke to NIRS news about the announcement and says it’s an opportunity for the nation to truly decolonise.
“There is a lot of potential for growth and it would be a dead dying shame if Australia doesn’t take it.
“It would be really, really disheartening because this is a great opportunity as Australia to realise that their engagement with First Nations people has been lacking, that they can do so much better, and we can be so much better.
“This is an opportunity for the nation to truly decolonise and decentralise colonial values within an international sporting arena,” said Ms Wharton.
“This is a massive opportunity that Australia should be taking to honour the Jagera, the Turrbal, the Yugambeh, and all of the other nations that these sporting events will take place on.”
