Today the Organising Committee Board for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games (OCOG) will come together for the inaugural Board Meeting, with the first priority to recruit a Chief Executive Officer.
Brisbane 2032 OCOG President, Mr Andrew Liveris, said he was looking forward to meeting the 21-person strong Board for the first time and they would make the most of being ahead of the game.
“We are in a privileged position in that we are on target with our schedule and about four years ahead in comparison to other Games. Most other Games are in our delivery position six years out, not 10,” Mr Liveris said.
“Since becoming President I have taken the time to speak with my colleagues on the Board ahead of this meeting. The responsibility we hold to deliver the biggest transformational event Queensland has seen this decade, is not lost on any of us.
“We are looking forward to showcasing Brisbane, Queensland and Australia to the world. We are eager to ensure principles of sustainability, inclusion and diversity are carried through our planning. We will deliver the OCOG’s responsibilities in a cost neutral manner, so it is not a burden on taxpayers.
“One of our top priorities will be to recruit a Chief Executive to help lead the OCOG and stand up the initial OCOG team.
“People should expect that in these early years we will be planning, listening and learning from our colleagues on other Games. It is through this strategic thinking that we can coordinate the delivery program most effectively to set us up for success in 2032,” he said.
Federal Minister for Sport, Richard Colbeck, said the OCOG Board was in a strong position to take Games planning forward.
“The Australian Government has worked closely with the Queensland Government over the last nine months to lay the foundation for this Board, which will now take the lead on event planning,” Senator Colbeck said.
Premier and Minister for the Olympics, Annastacia Palaszczuk, said the meeting was another important step on the ten-year journey to hosting the Games.
“It’s about the years leading up to and following the Games that will completely transform our State.”
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the first meeting of the Olympic organising committee was a pivotal moment in Brisbane’s history.
“This group will deliver the biggest sporting event in the world right here in Brisbane and its going to be a huge task to ensure our city is ready to be showcased to a global audience,” Cr Schrinner said.
“Further to that, the Board will have the important responsibility of ensuring Brisbane 2032 leaves a lasting legacy.
“I’m pleased the Board is now underway so we can get on with the job of delivering a Games that benefits our region’s residents for decades to come.”
President of the Australian Olympic Committee and Vice President of the International Olympic Committee, Mr John Coates, said he is looking forward to the next iteration of the Brisbane 2032 journey.
“We have seen the creative and enthusiastic work being undertaken by Dow, under the leadership of Andrew Liveris, to create the ‘Green Olympics’ as a TOP (The Olympic Partner) sponsor.
“We look forward to Andrew’s leadership, starting with today’s meeting. Andrew understands Olympic sport and what it stands for. His is a voice that will be listened to at home and internationally.,” Mr Coates said.
President of Paralympics Australia Jock O’Callaghan said Brisbane 2032 will be the pinnacle for all athletes and para-athletes.
“I hope everyone with sporting ambitions has the opportunity to wear the green and gold of Australia and I am confident that this OCOG Board will encourage the aspirations and participation of all our young athletes,” Mr O’Callaghan said.
Today’s meeting was jointly opened with an Acknowledgement of Country by Shelley Reys AO and Patrick Johnson AO.
Patrick Johnson, the proud Kaanju man from Far North Queensland said he was genuinely honoured to be asked to acknowledge his ancestors at this first Board meeting. “I’m pleased to mark such a significant milestone acknowledging and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders culture in our nation’s rich history.”
Shelley Reys, a Djiribul woman, said that being asked to participate in this acknowledgement was another step forward to create a culturally competent Australia on the sporting fields, and in the boardrooms.
“I see the commitment is already here to ensure our First Nations People are a central part of the Brisbane 2032 Games and I’m excited to be part of the story,” Ms Reys said.
