The IOC will start exclusive negotiations, or the “targeted dialogue” stage, with Australian officials over hosting the games following the Future Host Summer Commission’s recommendation.
Although Aasen said that the bid was not the winner just yet, the plan proposed by Brisbane, Australia’s high level of hosting experience and strong support for the bid from government officials were the main reasons for the committee’s recommendation.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk called the news a “game-changer” for the state.
“This is a game-changer… it will put Brisbane firmly on the world map,” she said.
Palaszczuk said the focus will now turn to tweaking the finer details for the bid.
“We have to now go down to the fine print and make sure that we’ve got all the funding lined up between all levels of government,” she said.
Palaszczuk emphasised that the Games would be able to use the existing sporting infrastructure built for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
She also said it would create a boom for the local economy and create around 130,000 jobs.
Coates said hosting the games would cost basically “nothing” for the state, with the IOC pledging A$2.5 billion (US$1.99 billion) and ticket sales and sponsorships covering other costs.
“That’s enough to pay for both the Olympic and the Paralympic Games without any call on the state or federal or local governments,” he said.
Today’s announcement comes to the disappointment of China, Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, and Qatar, who all expressed their interest in hosting the 2032 games.
The IOC may also face criticism over the fact that Coates is one of the heads of the Olympic Committee, holding the position of vice-president of the IOC. He also has a close relationship with IOC President Thomas Bach.
“The commitment of Australia and Oceania to Olympic sports has grown remarkably since the fantastic Olympic Games Sydney 2000,” he said. “This is why we see such strong public support.”
“We decided to seize an opportunity to take to the next stage our discussions about returning 32 years later,” he said.