ScoMo talks up Olympics chances

The Prime Minister sat down with International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach to discuss the prospect of hosting the games in a post-COVID world.

Mr Morrison trumpeted Brisbane’s ability to host a successful event.

“My special representative on this, Ted O’Brien, is a Queenslander, so he is working very closely with the Queensland government to move this forward. It remains in our view a very significant opportunity,” he said.

The IOC has received Brisbane’s bid to host the games in a revamped process, replacing bidding wars with ‘ongoing dialogues’.

Engagement was put on hold in May due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Australian Olympic Committee chairman John Coates, who also attended the meeting, expects a decision to be made by 2022 at the latest.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says the bid is about “pride in our state” and if successful, will have “legacy benefits ... for generations to come”.

“It tells the rest of the world that we’re firmly on the map,” she said.

A successful bid will require Queensland to upgrade travel networks to the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, as well as Brisbane’s entertainment precincts.

Tokyo was set to host the Olympics this year, but the event was delayed 12 months due to the health crisis.

Health Minister Greg Hunt has confirmed Australia supports Japan holding a ‘COVID safe’ games next year and says Australian athletes will likely participate.