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Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has reaffirmed the state’s bid to hold the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane following a “positive discussion” today with Australian Olympic Committee President and International Olympic Committee (IOC) Vice President John Coates.

Premier Palaszczuk advised that Queensland Minister for Sport, Stirling Hinchliffe would head a taskforce to develop the Games bid, and that she will be aiming to discuss Federal support for the bid with Prime Minister Scott Morrison at this Friday’s National Cabinet meeting.

Premier Palaszczuk said Queensland’s hosting of sporting events through 2020 amid the extraordinary complications of Coronavirus proved it was the right option for the Olympics, advising "with our strong health response, we virtually became the sporting capital of Australia during the COVID pandemic.

“We’ve shown we’ve been able to continue sport in this state but also Queensland loves their sport, Australia loves their sport, so let’s go to the next stage.”

Coates is also currently reviewing progress towards next year's Tokyo Olympics in his IOC role, and has made frequent trip to Japan to see first-hand the efforts being made to ensure for the 2021 Olympics goes ahead smoothly after being postponed for a year by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coates advised “it is time for everyone to reaffirm their commitment to these Games ... (they) are going ahead, and all of the arrangements are in pace for the games to go ahead.

“If we have a vaccine that will make life easier but whatever happens the athletes will be allowed in.”

Speaking to the United Nations General Assembly in September, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said the Games will be a symbolic triumph over the pandemic.

“I expressed my strong determination to host the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in the summer of next year as proof that humanity has defeated the pandemic."

The Tokyo Olympic Games are to set open on 23rd July next year, followed by the Paralympic Games on 24th August.

Main image: Australian Olympic Committee President and International Olympic Committee Vice President John Coates and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk pictured today in Brisbane.

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