Australian Athletics and Queensland Athletics welcome the decision by the Queensland Government to move forward with Victoria Park Stadium as the venue for athletics for the Brisbane 2032 Games, however further detail is urgently needed around supporting infrastructure and the long-promised legacy for the number one Olympic and Paralympic sport.
While we are pleased to see clarity on where athletics will be showcased during the Games, we are deeply disappointed that today’s announcement makes no mention of a lasting legacy for athletics.
As it stands, Brisbane is poised to become the only major city in Australia without an adequate facility to host national or international athletics competition. The sport plays a central role in the success of the Games as both a key ticket driver and the most globally viewed sport, yet our submission to the Review outlining two practical and cost-effective legacy options seems to have been overlooked.
We have consistently advocated for a main stadium that showcases our athletes on the world stage, and we acknowledge that the new Victoria Park Stadium with a capacity of 63,000 will achieve this. But there is more to this picture, beyond the 15 days of competition about how athletics will be supported to thrive before and after 2032.
The submission presented advocates for retaining the warm-up track as a permanent international-standard facility, and also suggested a fit for purpose upgrade to existing aging facilities, and there is no indication that either will be considered. In the Review the proposed warm up area will be removed post Games and it is suggested that it will be converted to a cricket venue.
Today’s announcement leaves the state with no legacy venue and no suitable venue for lead up international and Nationals events before the Games, impacting preparation, participation and performance. Our athletes, including our para athletes, are forced to train and compete at a 50-year-old facility that does not meet modern accessibility standards and building codes, and 2032 is the opportunity to change this. We will seek funding to address this in the near future.
This plan will also impact trained officials and workforce members, who rely on the successful delivery of international events to learn, practise and qualify ahead of performing at the standard required for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Queensland is home to some of the most exciting athletic talent in the country, with Matt Denny, Gout Gout, Torrie Lewis and Lachlan Kennedy all calling Brisbane their home. Without a viable facility, these athletes, as well as the officials, coaches, communities and fans who support them, will be denied the opportunity to compete at home in the lead-up to 2032.
Australian Athletics is seeking an urgent meeting with the Queensland Premier and Minister for Sport to better understand the detail behind today’s announcement and to identify a path forward that delivers on the Government’s stated commitment to a Games legacy that is inclusive, accessible and long lasting beyond 2032.
We remain committed to working with all levels of government and the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee to ensure our sport thrives before, during and well beyond the Games.
Posted: 25/3/2025
