Sadly Juan Antonio Samaranch isn’t around anymore to deliver the iconic line about who’s won Olympic/Paralympic hosting gigs. But Australia will settle for the next best thing – International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach last night confirming that Brisbane has won hosting duties for the 2032 Games. The city becomes the 3rd Aussie city to host the sporting spectacle after Melbourne in 1956 and Sydney in 2000, and Australia becomes the 2nd nation after the US to host the Olympics in 3 different places.

ONYA SONIA. SO HOW DID THEY PULL THAT OFF?
It’s been a long time in the making… Brissie had made an unsuccessful bid for the 1992 Games all the way back in 1986. With those lessons learned and a successful Sydney Games under our belt, this time around seems to have been about securing a host that would be no muss, no fuss. And then we seduced the IOC with an irresistible promise: a 3-tiered government financial guarantee and good weather. That means the Federal and Queensland Governments and Brissie City Council are putting their money where their mouths are to the tune of $5 billion. Note: the Tokyo Games will likely cost more than US$15 billion thanks to COVID complications. But there is one thing we can save money on – a mascot’s already sorted…

ANY DETAILS ON HOW IT WILL GO DOWN?
Here are 3 quick things to note:

• When: the Olympic Games will run from 23 July to 8 August. The Paralympics will follow immediately after. Unless they’re COVID delayed. OMG could you imagine…

• Where: more than 30 venues across south-east Queensland in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Logan, Ipswich and Redlands. The Gabba will be improved to become the Games’ centrepiece.

• The vibe: Australian Olympic Committee President/IOC Vice President John Coates said they will be “the together games”. “Asking for this honour, I assure you Brisbane and Australia understand the Olympic Games are not won, they are served, and the service to Olympic ideals is raising yourself to be the best you can be,” he said during his pitch last night.

Go you good thing…