Positive reaction
Australian Sailing has welcomed the confirmation that Brisbane will be the host city of the 2032 Summer Olympic Games.
22 July 2021
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The Olympics are set to Australia with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarding the Queensland capital the 2032 Summer Olympic Games.
This edition will be the third instance the Olympics have come to Australia after the Melbourne 1956 and Sydney 2000 Games.
Earlier this year, the IOC affirmed that Brisbane was the sole contender to host the 2032 Games.
The decision has led to countless fans and athletic bodies praising the potential with Australia’s official sailing organisation, Australian Sailing, seeing this as a potential for the sport’s presence to expand throughout the country.
“This is a landmark moment in Australian sporting history,” said Australian Sailing President Dan Belcher following the announcement.
“We are incredibly thankful to the work done by the bid team at the Australian Olympic Committee and the support shown for the bid by the State and Federal Governments.”
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“The kids on the beaches and boat ramps of sailing clubs all around Australia now have something truly special to aspire to – representing Australia at a home Olympic Games in eleven years’ time.”
“I think it’s exciting for the whole of Queensland. I think any sport in this area is going to grow,” adds Southport Yacht Club General Manager Brett James.
“When I look at my children that are ten and thirteen, this is going to be a great opportunity for them to strive to be an athlete. Or even be able to get a job and be part of the Olympics at such a young age.
“Due to COVID-19, sailing has seen an increase already, so I think this would just cement building the sport and wherever the elect to hold the sailing races.”
Australia has a long, successful history in Olympic sailing, with many of those who’ve awarded medals hailing from South-East Queensland. One such member is Mat Belcher, who won the gold and silver medals in the Men’s 470 Class in 2012 and 2016 respectively.
Also based in the Sunshine State are Tokyo 2020 sailors, Will Ryan, Jake Lilley, Mara Stransky and Jaime Ryan.
But while the announcement secures the opportunity for growth, it equally enables a platform to inspire the next generation of Australian sailors, such as nine-year-old Stella Willey, who sails her Optimist at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron.
“I think it is going to be great because having the Olympics in Brisbane will show a lot of other young sailors like me what their potential can be,” said Willey.
“My sailing heroes are people like my coaches Annie Eastgate and Kate Baisden, and I can’t wait to see Mara Stransky compete in the Laser Radial in Tokyo.”
The announcement comes two days before the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Australia has qualified eight boats for the event, with the first races set to commence on Sunday, 25 July.
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