The morning show host and Brisbane-born personality laid out his ideas to save his home state from further embarrassment.
Prominent athletes have written an open letter to Queensland Premier Stephen Miles. They are asking him to reconsider making the Queensland Sport and Athletics Center the main venue for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games. Grant Hackett, Sally Pearson and Carni Liddell are among the 14 athletes who signed the letter. Mr. Miles is investing billions of dollars in renovating the facility. That's despite an independent review recommending the construction of a new stadium instead.
The 2032 Olympics will be Australia's first time hosting the Games in 30 years, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to fly to the Sunshine State for the event.
The Queensland Government has come under intense criticism in recent weeks after Premier Stephen Miles announced he was scrapping a $3.4 billion plan to build a new downtown stadium at Victoria Park in time for the Olympics. It has become.
Instead, the Prime Minister plans to use Suncorp Stadium to host the opening and closing ceremonies and the Queensland Sport and Athletics Center to host athletics events.
Today host Stefanovic described the plan as an “international earthquake embarrassment” and offered suggestions on how to fix it.
Today, co-host Karl Stefanovic reveals plans for the Brisbane Olympics.Photo: Today
“So let's share the Olympics across the country, with the opening ceremony in all existing major stadiums, distributed in world-class facilities, and the remaining events that will showcase this great country to the world. What about that?'' he said.
“A triathlon on the Gold Coast, cycling in Far North Queensland, surfing at Bells Beach, a marathon over Uluru and a shootout at Longreach could make for a great two-week tourism ad for this country. .A cheaper legacy.
“Our athletes deserve the best, so if Queensland can't do it, let's share it.”
Queensland Premier Stephen Miles has withdrawn plans to build a new Olympic stadium.Photo: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard
The decision was condemned on Tuesday by a group of prominent Australian Olympians in an open letter shared with the Courier-Mail newspaper.
letter
“Dear Prime Minister,
We, the undersigned, on behalf of current and former Queensland Olympians and Paralympians, would like to reconsider the decision to hold the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games at the current Nathan Sports and Athletics Center in Queensland. Thank you for your understanding.
While we understand the intention to get the most value for taxpayers from the Olympics, we do not believe that the QSAC site represents that not only from a financial perspective, but also from a Brisbane and Queensland heritage perspective. not.
And frankly, the main stadium, which has a capacity of just 40,000 people, is embarrassing and in no way represents the positive spirit of Queensland.
Grant Hackett was one of 14 Olympians to sign an open letter to Prime Minister Stephen Miles.Photo: Instagram
Additionally, the QSAC facility is the breeding ground for athletics in this state, and any disruption to the facility could only negatively impact performance at home games.
Everyone remembers the great event held in Sydney in 2000. Queensland deserves an equally great event without the centerpiece that reeks of compromise.
It's never too late to change your mind, Mr. Miles. ”
The letter was signed by 14 current and former Australian Olympians.
Curtis McGrath, paracanoe
grant hackett, swimming
monique murphy swimming
Karni Riddell, swimming
Brenton Rickard, swimming
Brooke Hanson, swimming
melanie wright, swimming
Chris Wright, swimming
Geoff Hugill, swimming
John Sieben, swimming
Andrew Baildon, swimming
Sally Pearson, athlete
Raisel Jones, swimming
Jessica Schipper, swimming
