SYDNEY, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Hosting the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Queensland would be a critical part of Australia's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) President John Coates said on Tuesday.
"I have always believed in making necessity a virtue," Coates said at the launch of of the Parliamentary Friends of the Olympic Movement, a forum aiming to promote the values of Olympism in Australia.
"There is already a need for jobs and growth in the Queensland economy arising from the impact of COVID-19," he said.
"Our partner three levels of government recognize a potential 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games as a critical part of the state and nation's economic recovery in the short term, quite apart from all of the long-term health, wellbeing, economic and sporting legacies."
Coates also moved to allay concerns about the costs involved in hosting the Games.
"For any of you who may be concerned about the $4.5 billion cost of conducting the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the IOC has already committed $2.5 billion at least," he said.
"The balance will be covered by national sponsorships and ticket sales."
In addition, Coates pointed out that the IOC is increasingly encouraging the use of existing and temporary community and sporting venues.
"In the case of south-east Queensland, with Cairns and Townsville for football preliminaries, 85 percent are existing."
Queensland paused its Olympic bid in late May due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Enditem
