Fans get first look at 63,000-seater stadium that will host Olympics with legendary sporting arena to be demolished
STREWTH, mate! That’s a bloody big stadium.
A new 63,000-seater arena will be built in Brisbane in time for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The multi-sport venue will host the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the athletics programme, when the Games return Down Under.
The new ground will then become Brisbane’s home for cricket — with the famous Gabba, built in 1895, to be demolished.
Cricket is set to return to the Olympic schedule for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles and Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said: “Wouldn’t it be amazing to see the Australian cricket team win gold at an Olympic final? The Gabba’s swansong.”
Meanwhile, rowing in 2032 will be held in Queensland’s Fitzroy River and the government insists the waters will be safe — despite the presence of saltwater crocodiles.
The river, which is 630km north of Brisbane, is a hotspot for crocs, with rangers trapping a four-metre crocodile lurking upstream just two years ago.
Liberal politicians and business leaders have argued that using the river would save the state “millions of dollars”.
In January, Nationals Queensland Senator Matt Canavan said: “We believe that moving the rowing and canoeing to an existing facility in the centre of Rockhampton can save probably up to $100 million.”
Advocates have said any crocodiles in the area would need to be rehomed before the Games begin.
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Rowing Queensland and Rowing Australia have allegedly urged the government against moving the events to a different state.
Sarah Black, President of Fitzroy Rowing Club, believes the river is safe enough to host Olympic rowing events.
She said: “The Fitzroy is a natural habitat for crocodiles, we’re well aware of that.
“Some of the reports in the media have been sensationalised, with comments around it being crocodile infested.
“We certainly have regular liaisons with our department of environment here. Their officers go out and do regular surveys.
“It is risk managed and something our sport does quite well.”