The power of the Games – coming to Brisbane

Last year marked ten years since the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. For me it’s hard to believe that it’s been a decade since Usain Bolt dominated the track, Jacqueline Freney dominated the pool and the Queen made us all laugh with her James Bond entry to the opening ceremony. I feel so proud to have worked on this inspirational project as part of the team that delivered communications and engagement for the £9.3 billion construction program to build the venues and infrastructure.

Mostly I am proud of the Olympic Delivery Authority’s role in transforming a derelict part of east London, the opportunities we created for local people, and working on the legacy transformation of the Athletes’ Village to 2,800 much-needed new homes for Londoners.

Ten years after the Games, London’s Olympic site is still progressing to meet community need with more new housing, cultural, innovation and commercial sites opening in the years since the Games. This year, University College London announced they would be opening a new campus on the Olympic site (now known as Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park), another example of the power of the Games to drive positive development for communities.

In July, August and September 2032, Brisbane has the great privilege of hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games, becoming the first host city to deliver a climate positive Games, with 80% of the infrastructure already existing, and a focus on renewable energy.

The Olympic and Paralympic Games present a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fast-track sustainable growth in Brisbane and South-East Queensland, where the population is expected to grow by more than 1 million people over the next 10 years. It is so exciting to see the planning that is taking place in Brisbane to upgrade transport, provide new housing, and provide jobs, skills and opportunities for businesses.

For me, the most exciting part of hosting the Games is the inspiration and opportunities for young people. Many athletes who will be vying to compete in the Brisbane Games will still be in primary school now – imagine how inspiring for them to have the opportunity to compete at a home Olympic Games. As well as a whole generation of children and young people who will be inspired by the achievements of Olympians and Paralympians from all over the world, by the army of Queensland volunteers and by the amazing human stories of triumph and sportsmanship that come out of every Games.

I can’t wait to see communities in Brisbane and across Queensland taking part in the journey to 2032… what an exciting road ahead!

The LKB Agency has recently opened a Brisbane office, if you’re thinking about an upcoming community engagement project, please open a conversation with us today.