Facilitated by Sport NZ Group Chief Executive, Raelene Castle, the high-powered panel included Rebecca Frizelle, whose impressive bio includes serving on the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games Organising Committee and the board of Paralympics Australia, Duane Kale, deputy chair of Sport NZ and HPSNZ as well as a member of the IOCs Coordination Committee for LA2028 and Brisbane2032, and Nicki Nicol, CEO of NZOC.
The panel discussion roamed across a broad range of pinnacle event questions including the outcomes and legacy Brisbane 2032 is seeking to achieve for competitors at both Olympics and Paralympics, and the learnings from Sydney 2000, the last Games hosted in Australia.
Sydney 2000 transformed the city, especially its infrastructure, and the same opportunity exists for Brisbane said Rebecca. “Infrastructure development is always a benchmark for Olympic Games and Brisbane will be no different.”
Wearing his IOC hat, Duane concurred noting the Games are not just about sports. “They allow host cities to speed up the delivery of infrastructure. It galvanises the host city, the local and national government to deliver against drop dead timelines.”
“Brisbane provides quite a different potential experience from Sydney,” said Rebecca. “Sydney is a well-known global city, Brisbane less so. However, we want to leverage off its wonderful people, amazing volunteers, stunning beaches, parks and natural highlights. We want it to be a real boost for tourism.
“We want everyone to feel that Brisbane was worth it. We are not rebuilding, we are planning a Games that fits the city and the region,” she said.
Duane pointed to Brisbane as an opportunity to deliver a Games using a sustainable model. “There will be smarter use of temporary and existing facilities.”
The three speakers pointed to the regional opportunities Brisbane creates. “From a commercial perspective, both LA and Brisbane are Pacific cities,” said Nicki. “This provides more common opportunities and we need to use the runway to 2032 to leverage them.”
“Our Games, at least until we get onto the start line or playing pitch,” said Rebecca. “Australia and New Zealand, along with an inclusive approach with small Pacific nations, can call this their Games. It is a rare opportunity to highlight the whole Oceania region.”
Duane sees the Paralympics in Brisbane as a critical way to change perceptions about disability. “Games organisers are looking to put a real focus on para athletes which will be important to change often negative perceptions about disability that exist in a number of Pacific nations.”
That focus, said Rebecca, includes a commitment to ensure accessibility for para athletes from arrival to departure.
Wearing her business hat, Rebecca said Brisbane is the greatest opportunity for the local business community in decades. “It will provide opportunities in the international education sector and sectors such as clean energy, technology and digital transformation.
“You will see the use of AI like never before and the wider use of technology to provide a level playing field and to enhance the experience, whether watching live or on a screen.”
All agree there is a lot to do but that there is a very strong feeling Brisbane is well advanced in its plan to deliver an outstanding pinnacle event for the nations of the Pacific.
