THE WHITSUNDAYS will host the sailing events for the 2032 Olympics.
The announcement was made yesterday when Queensland Premier David Crisafulli unveiled the plans for the Olympic events and the accompanying infrastructure.
Whitsunday Regional Mayor Ry Collins has welcomed the announcement, saying at this morning’s council meeting (Wednesday, March 26) that it was ‘an important moment in our history’.
“We need to make sure that we leave a lasting legacy,” he said in his opening address to councillors present at the meeting and those people watching the livestream.
On his Mayoral Facebook page yesterday, Mayor Collins said: ‘The Whitsundays, the Heart of the Great Barrier Reef, is set to take centre stage at the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games!’
“Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has officially announced that our region will host sailing events – an incredible achievement and a testament to dedicated advocacy and collaboration,” he said.
“I’m proud to have fought to secure this opportunity for our region.
“With the opportunity posed by the new Queensland Government’s 100-day Olympic review, we developed a compelling case, taking this to Brisbane to meet with the Queensland Government and the key decisionmakers in the review, ensuring the Whitsundays’ voice was heard loud and clear.
“This success proves what can be achieved through persistence and strategic advocacy.
Mayor Collins said nowhere else could host the sailing like the Whitsundays could.
“When you close your eyes for a moment, and think of what the best version of Olympic sailing events could look like, I think you’d find it hard to disagree that nowhere will showcase this event like us, and our iconic reef and 74 island backdrop,” he said.
“With ideal sailing conditions and a breathtaking natural backdrop, the Whitsundays is the perfect venue to welcome the world, in 2032.”
Mayor Collins thanked all those people and organisations involved in making this monumental event happen for the Whitsundays.
“A huge thank you to Premier David Crisafulli MP, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie MP MP, Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP, the Whitsunday Sailing Club, and Port Denison Sailing Club, Bowen,” he said in his Facebook post.
“I look forward to working with you, and all stakeholders, to deliver an outstanding event and to secure long-lasting legacy benefits for our region and all of Queensland.
“A truly Queensland Games means all of Queensland benefits, and now the Whitsundays will proudly play its part.”
Whitsundays MP Amanda Camm said ‘Let the countdown begin!’.
“The Crisafulli Government has a plan to showcase our Great Barrier Reef on the world stage,” she said.
“We know our region is well placed to host Olympic sailing and we’ll show them how it’s done!
“This is great news for our community and a once-in-a-generation opportunity, we’ll make it count with a lasting legacy.”
She also paid tribute to the Whitsunday Sailing Club.
“I want to acknowledge the advocacy of past and present committee members of the Whitsunday Sailing Club,” she said.
For more information visit www.delivering2032.com.au.
