Anthony Albanese makes bombshell Olympics call
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has declared New South Wales and Victoria could host several of the 2032 Olympic Games sports, in a bombshell revelation that has left Queenslanders furious.
The Aussie PM – appearing on the Two Good Sports podcast on Friday – suggested sports such as tennis would be better suited to the facilities in Melbourne, while rowing could be carried out in Sydney's west.
'I've been meeting with (2032 Organising Committee President) Andrew Liveris as well as with the Queensland Premier (David) Crisafulli about where it goes,' he told the podcast.
'For example, are we really going to do rowing in Rockhampton on the Fitzroy River when there are some pretty good facilities at Penrith?
'There's a debate over tennis and what's needed there in Brisbane as well.'
The PM, who has flown to Canada for the G7 summit, cast doubt on Queensland's ability to accommodate certain sports and questioned if it is the best use of taxpayers' money to develop new facilities to host those events when there are perfectly good venues available in Sydney and Melbourne.
'You have pretty good tennis facilities here (in Melbourne),' Mr Albanese told the podcast.
However, the Crisafulli state government was quick to fire back, stating there was no chance any Olympic event would be held in another Aussie state.
A Queensland government spokesperson told the Courier Mail on Friday that 'we are working with all levels of government to implement the 2032 Games Delivery Plan, which will see Rowing in Rockhampton and Tennis played at the upgraded Queensland Tennis Centre.'
While Mr Crisafulli previously stated that his government guarantees 'Melbourne will not be taking the tennis from Brisbane'.
Questions continue to be raised over 2032 rowing location
Hosting the rowing in the crocodile 'infested' waters of the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton has created plenty of controversy.
The ridicule only intensified after a recent hydrological study also concluded the river drops to almost zero flow in the winter months when the games are scheduled to be held.
A Brisbane 2032 spokesperson said issues are still being ironed out but said there will be no issue holding the event in Queensland.
'Delivering world-class fields of play that provide an optimal performance environment for athletes remains key for Brisbane 2032 and ensuring International Federations are involved in planning and delivery will help achieve this outcome,' a Brisbane 2032 statement read.
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