Please select your home edition
Edition
Palm Beach Motor Yachts

Australian Sailing celebrates Brisbane 2032 announcement

by Michael Martin, Australian Sailing 21 Jul 2021 03:41 PDT
Brisbane 2032 Bid Masterplan © AAP

Australian Sailing has welcomed tonight's announcement by the International Olympic Committee that Brisbane will host the 2032 Summer Olympic Games.

The Olympics will return to Australia for the first time since Sydney 2000, where tens of thousands of sailing fans lined the foreshore to celebrate two Australian sailing gold medals.

Australian Sailing President Daniel Belcher shared the excitement of the sailing community at the announcement. "This is a landmark moment in Australian sporting history," said Belcher. "We are incredibly thankful to the work done by the bid team at the Australian Olympic Committee, and the support shown for the bid by the State and Federal Governments.

"The kids on the beaches and boat ramps of sailing clubs all around Australia now have something truly special to aspire to - representing Australia at a home Olympic Games in eleven years' time."

Australia has a proud history of success in Olympic sailing, and south-east Queensland has provided its share of Olympic heroes in that time. 2012 Olympic Champion and 2016 silver medallist in the Men's 470 class, Mat Belcher, grew up there and still calls Palm Beach on the Gold Coast home.

Queensland clubs will be well represented at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, with Mat and his crew Will Ryan, Jake Lilley in the Finn, Mara Stransky in the Laser Radial and Jaime Ryan in the 49erFX all members of clubs in the Sunshine State.

The modern-day stars will provide inspiration for the next generation of sailing champions, such as 9-year-old Stella Willey. Stella sails her Optimist at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron and now hopes to emulate the feats of some of her female sailing heroes on home waters in 2032.

"I think it is going to be great, because having the Olympics in Brisbane will show a lot of other young sailors like me what their potential can be," said Stella.

"My sailing heroes are people like my coaches Annie Eastgate and Kate Baisden and I can't wait to see Mara Stransky compete in the Laser Radial in Tokyo."

Australia is expected to attract several class World Championships to Brisbane in advance of the home Games, providing opportunities for young sailors and local clubs to enjoy the benefits of hosting the Olympics.

"Having the Olympics return to Australia will provide benefits for the millions of Australians who get out and are active every day," continued Belcher. "We look forward to working with our clubs to ensure the 2032 Games will have a lasting legacy for our sport in Australia."

The announcement comes just two days before the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Australia has qualified eight boats for the event, with the first races set to commence on Sunday 25 July. The best way to follow the team is via the 7plus app and the Australian Sailing Team social media accounts using the #GoAusSailors hashtag.

Related Articles

Top 10 finishes for Aussie crews in Europeans
Australia's 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 sailors have wrapped up a demanding week in Greece Australia's 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 sailors have wrapped up a demanding European Championships in Thessaloniki, Greece, with light winds, lengthy delays, and multiple general recalls pushing teams to their limits throughout the week. Posted on 9 Jun
Young Aussie squad ready to shine at Europeans
Australia's fast boat sailors are set for the 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 Europeans in Greece Australia's fast boat sailors are set to take on the 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 European Championships this week in Thessaloniki, Greece. With up to 18 races scheduled over the next six days, it's set to be a high-intensity regatta. Posted on 2 Jun
Event updates dominate this week's industry news
A summary of news relevant to businesses across Oceania The 36th annual Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS) has once again cemented its status as the Southern Hemisphere's premier marine event, drawing an impressive 45,865 visitors over four spectacular days from 22-25 May. Posted on 29 May
Whitehead finish 9th at Formula Kite Europeans
A confident return to international competition in Urla, Türkiye Australia's Breiana Whitehead has made a confident return to international competition, finishing ninth overall at the 2025 Formula Kite European Championships in Urla, Türkiye. Posted on 20 May
Littlewood claims bronze in ILCA7 Worlds
It was a tale of two winds that decided the World Champions Zac Littlewood has claimed a bronze medal at the ILCA 7 World Championships in Qingdao, China, after an intense and unpredictable week of racing. Posted on 17 May
Australian Sailing releases strategic plan update
A summary of news relevant to businesses across Oceania Australian Sailing has released the 2025 update of its SAILING 2032 Strategic Plan, outlining progress across key initiatives designed to grow and support the sport nationally. Posted on 15 May
Banger Racing, Back Racing and No Racing
Racing on the cheap, a return to racing for young Aussies, and ILCA struggles We start with racing on the cheap at the Colander Cup, then focus on a return to racing for the Aussies at the Youth Worlds, moving on to a complete lack of racing at the ILCA Worlds, and then looking at how SailGP should be back out on the water. Posted on 14 May
Breiana Whitehead set for Formula Kite Europeans
The Australian kitefoiler is back on the international stage this week Australian kitefoiler Breiana Whitehead is back on the international stage this week, as she lines up against top level competition at the 2025 Formula Kite European Championships in Urla, Türkiye from May 14 to 19. Posted on 14 May
Australian Sailing Strategic Plan Status Report
Outlining progress across key initiatives designed to grow and support the sport Australian Sailing has released the 2025 update of its SAILING 2032 Strategic Plan, outlining progress across key initiatives designed to grow and support the sport nationally. Posted on 13 May
Game on in Qingdao for the 2025 ILCA Worlds
237 of the world's best sailors from 40 nations prepare to battle it out The stage is set in Qingdao, China, as 237 of the world's best sailors from 40 nations prepare to battle it out over six intense days of racing at the 2025 ILCA6 and ILCA7 World Championships. Posted on 12 May
North Sails Loft 57 PodcastZhik 2024 DecemberHyde Sails 2024 - One Design