Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli will travel to Paris in July to learn and participate in an important on-ground Olympic Family Program and has opted to pay for her own flights to the event.
Following updated travel information from the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Games Organising Committee, Sunshine Coast Council will fund $7500 for the Mayor’s accommodation.
Sunshine Coast Council CEO Emma Thomas said the decision to pay for Mayor Natoli’s accommodation was a business decision that would stand to benefit the Sunshine Coast community significantly.
“Council was originally advised that the Mayor’s accommodation in Paris would be funded as part of the Olympic Family Program,” Ms Thomas said.
“We were made aware that this is not the case following the April 24 Ordinary Meeting, at which it was voted unanimously that Mayor Natoli should participate in the program.”
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said her presence in Paris remained critical in securing a positive Games legacy for the region.
“Am I greatly disappointed that the accommodations cost will not be covered as we originally thought? Yes absolutely,” Mayor Natoli said.
“Having discussed with my Councillor colleagues and weighing everything up, we all agreed this opportunity is too important to forgo and that the value of my participation in the program will significantly outweigh the cost of my accommodation.
“The lessons I will learn and the insights I will gain into transport requirements, community impact, the Cultural Olympiad and local business opportunities will be instrumental as we prepare to co-host what is arguably the largest global event.
“I remain fiercely committed to maximising the opportunity to be on the ground at Paris 24 and using my learnings to guide our Games preparations in the coming years.”
The Mayor will be travelling from July 25, 2024 to August 2, 2024 alongside other Olympic and Paralympic Games Brisbane 2032 Delivery Partners, including representatives from City of Gold Coast and Brisbane City Councils.
In 2032, the Sunshine Coast is proposed to host nine Olympic and Paralympic events across four locations.
