The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that it would enter “targeted dialogue” with bid organisers, adding that Brisbane was the preferred candidate to host the 2032 Games.
“The IOC future host commission recommended that the executive committee initiate a targeted dialogue with Brisbane and the Australian Olympic Committee for the organisation of the 2032 Olympic Games,” said IOC president Thomas Bach.
Australia last hosted the Olympics in Sydney in 2000. The bid would be for the Games to be held in the state of Queensland, with Brisbane as the hub. There had been reported interest from India and Chinese city Shanghai, while Qatar last year confirmed it was planning to bid.
A potential joint bid between South and North Korea had also been touted, while Germany had also expressed its interest in holding the Games in the North Rhine-Westphalia region.
No final decision on the host city had been made, but that more detailed discussions with Brisbane would start, although he gave no timetable. The next IOC session will be held in March, with another scheduled for July.
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The bid would be focused around Brisbane and Gold Coast, which both already boast extensive sporting infrastructure. Gold Coast held the 2018 Commonwealth Games, while Brisbane boasts 21 sports venues.
Australia also previously hosted the Olympics in Melbourne, in 1956. In September 2017, the IOC awarded the 2024 Games to Paris and the 2028 Olympics to Los Angeles.
