Pressure to Revamp Brisbane 2032 Olympic Programme

Former Olympic champion Kieren Perkins, now chief executive of the Australian Sports Commission, warned that the Brisbane 2032 programme “has no modern relevance whatsoever” for several existing sports. Speaking at the SportNXT conference in Melbourne, Perkins said the Games risk “question marks about that sustainability” if the sport roster is not refreshed. He declined to name specific sports, but highlighted concerns that disciplines such as modern pentathlon and equestrian lack the audience pull of core events like athletics and swimming.

The Guardian

The International Olympic Committee’s June session introduced a new assessment framework that evaluates individual disciplines on global appeal, cost, operational complexity, and governance representation. Local organising committees may propose up to four additional disciplines, with the final Brisbane 2032 programme expected to be confirmed by the IOC within the next year.

The Guardian

Netball Australia’s polling found two-thirds of Australians favour netball’s inclusion in 2032.

The Guardian

• “We are focused on designing a sports program that reflects the values of the Olympic and Paralympic movements, is operationally viable, and supports Brisbane 2032’s commercial, sustainable and engagement and experience objectives.” — Nicki Nicol, chief executive of the New Zealand Olympic Committee — Nicki Nicol, chief executive of the New Zealand Olympic Committee

The Guardian

These statements illustrate the tension between preserving traditional Olympic heritage and adapting the programme to contemporary audience expectations as Brisbane prepares for the 2032 Games.

The Guardian