Historic Handover: Kirsty Coventry Passes the Torch for Brisbane 2032 Olympics
In a significant milestone for the Olympic community, Zimbabwean swimming champion Kirsty Coventry has officially handed over the reins of preparations for the 2032 Brisbane Games to Filipino equestrian Olympian Mikaela Cojuangco-Jaworski. This transition marks a pivotal moment in the lead-up to the highly anticipated event, which promises to bring together athletes and spectators from around the globe.
During her three-day inspection visit to Queensland, Australia, Coventry expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating, "I’m here to formally hand over the baton, or the Olympic flame – boomerang – over to Mikee… who is stepping in as co-com chair." Coventry, who made her Olympic debut at the Sydney 2000 Games and has family ties to Australia, felt a sense of familiarity and comfort in her role as chair of the coordination commission. "I’m very excited about what Brisbane 2032 is going to do. Not just for the region, but for Australia and for the world," she emphasized.
The journey to this point has not been without its challenges. After more than 1,000 days and three major concept changes, the Queensland government finally settled on a comprehensive venue plan in March. The plan includes the construction of a new 60,000-seat stadium and an aquatics center in parklands near downtown Brisbane, as well as proposals to share events with surrounding regions. According to Andrew Liveris, President of the local organizing committee, venue construction is slated to begin later next year, with confidence that the main building program will be completed at least a year before the Games.
As Coventry prepares to take on her new role as IOC president next month, she makes history as the first female, first African, and youngest person to head the Olympic body. Her legacy and expertise will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the Olympic community. As the world looks to Brisbane 2032, one thing is clear: this event has the potential to bring people together, foster international unity, and inspire a new generation of athletes and leaders. With the baton officially passed, the countdown to the Games has begun, and the world is watching with bated breath.
