'No need to panic' over Brisbane Olympics stadium plans

Matildas draw tough Olympics group

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) says there is ‘no need to panic’ over the stadium debate ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Games.

The Queensland government initially proposed a $3 billion rebuild of the Gabba, which included a new “greenfield” stadium at Victoria Park.

But the independent Games review, led by former Brisbane lord mayor Graham Quirk, recommend a “world-class” stadium be built as the host venue at Victoria Park.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has accepted a decision by the Queensland Premier to not build a new stadium for the 2032 Games.

Quirk also called for the Gabba to be demolished and turned into greenspace, estimating renovation costs would likely blowout for a full rebuild.

Premier Steven Miles Miles rejected the recommendation and has instead opted to upgrade the QSAC, Gabba and Suncorp Stadium, to host the Games across all three.

Overnight, the International Olympic Committee held the second round table with Games officials to get an update on the plans.

The Gabba stadium in Brisbane.

The IOC maintained there was still enough time to get plans in order after a lengthy back-and-forth over Brisbane’s Olympic Games venues.

Overnight, the International Olympic Committee held the second round table with Games officials to get an update on the plans.

“There’s really no reason to start panicking at this point,” said Kirsty Coventry from the IOC.

“We’re always there to help with the technical side of things and to give advice but it’s not for us to step in and give direction,” said Coventry.

“We cannot dictate the needs of the region and it’s people – we have to hear that from the different levels of government.”

Both major parties have ruled out the Victoria Park proposal and the Gabba rebuild.

However, opposition leader David Crisafulli is willing to introduce a new independent authority to make decisions about the Games if the Coalition wins the October Election.

That means there could be some room left for further changes.

“When Sydney won the [2000 Olympic] bid, that was 1993 so we have time,” Crisafulli said.

Olympic officials said work on smaller venues will begin in the coming months.

“We expect the first tenders to go out next month and that starts with the sporting facilities on the Sunshine Coast,” Miles said.

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