New Olympics board will consider rowing alternatives
The revelation from Brisbane 2032 president Andrew Liveris came as he prepared to host the first meeting of the new, paired-back organising committee board in the city's CBD on Thursday.
'It's amazing how, a year ago, we were arguing about stadiums and what would happen with the stadium, and now we seem to be arguing and having this conversation on rowing – we're always going to have something,' he told this masthead.
'I'd like to remind everyone that LA was still debating venues until about six months ago. Paris was debating them until a year before, so it's the nature of the beast that the OCOG [Organising Committee for the Olympic Games] will have to very much be nimble on creating alternatives in case some of these venues don't work out.'
Liveris said the delivery plan handed down by the state government in March solved '80-to-90 per cent' of venue issues and while the committee was 'working to make Rocky work' it would have to also consider contingencies should World Rowing and the International Canoe Federation deem the Fitzroy River course unsuitable.
'The idea that it may not turn out is a very big debated subject, because GIICA came out with Penrith,' he said, referring to the Games Independent Infrastructure and Co-ordination Authority's recommendation in its 100-day review to host rowing in western Sydney.
'But this government in particular – and I understand why – says, 'no, I want it in Queensland'.
'And you've got [Gold Coast] Mayor [Tom] Tate talking about Hinze Dam, and you've got all sorts of possibilities.
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