Uncertainty over Brisbane 2032 venues has led to the Olympic body delaying by a year a decision on which sports will feature.
In another false start for organisers, the International Olympic Committee has confirmed it will bend its rules and announce the 2032 sport program next year.
The IOC usually determines the line-up seven years ahead of the opening ceremony, which for Brisbane, would ensure a 2025 deadline.
However it has decided to “defer the timeline” to give Brisbane organisers more time to review infrastructure.
The venue blueprint will finally be unveiled by the Queensland government on March 25 – almost four years after Brisbane was named host city.
The long-awaited plan will end speculation over whether the city receives a new marquee stadium and where major events like athletics and swimming will be held.
The decision to delay the Games program until 2026 came during an IOC session in Greece, which will elect outgoing president Thomas Bach’s successor.
“As per Rule 45 of the Olympic Charter, the sports programme for a specific edition of the Olympic Games is decided by the IOC Session in principle seven years prior to the Games, unless the IOC EB decides otherwise,” a statement said.
“Following discussions between the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee and the IOC, it was agreed it would be beneficial if the initial sports programme decision were to be finalised next year, which would be approximately six years prior to the Olympic Games.”
There have been a number of false starts since Brisbane was named host in July 2021 under Annastacia Palaszczuk’s Labor government.
But the Liberal National government had hoped to finally fire the 2032 starting gun by launching a 100-day venue review after claiming the October 2024 election.
Since the review panel submitted its report on March 8, there has been speculation a new stadium in Victoria Park has been recommended along with the relocation of a planned Brisbane Arena from the CBD.
Funding for the Games’ $7.1 billion infrastructure will be split 50-50 between the state and Canberra.
The Commonwealth will inject about $3.5 billion, with $2.5 billion for Brisbane Arena – initially set to host swimming – and the remainder for “new and upgraded venues”.
The federal government has been adamant it will not provide more cash, ensuring the Queensland may have to look to private investors for cost blowouts.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was asked whether the Commonwealth would reconsider funding if Brisbane Arena was scrapped amid reports the state government wanted to axe the project.
“We’ve got money in there for an arena that’s important for the Olympics but it’s also important for post-Olympics,” he said in Brisbane on Wednesday.
“I know Dua Lipa isn’t playing here in Brisbane but is playing in other cities where there are indoor venues right close to the city so, that’s important.”
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli insisted no new stadiums would be built for Brisbane 2032 after winning the election and ordering the venue review.
He rubbished Labor’s initial Olympic infrastructure blueprint, which rejected a previous review’s recommendation to build a $3.4 billion centrepiece stadium at Victoria Park.
A number of guiding principles for the 100-day review were outlined, in keeping with the Olympics’ “new norm” aimed at avoiding massive cost blowouts that have plagued past hosts.
Host cities are now encouraged to cut spending by reducing new infrastructure and using existing or temporary venues.
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