It’s only just begun, but the Paris Olympics has already proven one very important thing: you don’t have to host an opening ceremony at a glitzy new, purpose-built mega-arena.
And there’s a lesson in that for the people organising the Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics in 2032.
While central Brisbane doesn’t have all the impressive, instantly-recognisable monuments and open public space that Paris used to such great effect, we can still think outside the box.
Instead of building a huge new stadium — which some people still want to do — let’s host the Brisbane 2032 opening ceremony across several existing venues. Ideally, five of them, one to represent each of the rings of the Olympic flag.
These could be the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre (formerly QE2, home of the 1982 Commonwealth Games), Suncorp Stadium (a.k.a. Lang Park or The Cauldron — there’s a hint as to what could happen then), the enhanced-but-not-rebuilt Gabba, the Ekka arena and one other, perhaps the Brisbane River between the bridges, as used in Riverfire.
There would be separate, but coordinated, entertainment at each venue, which would be colour-coded to match the Olympics palette. All venues would have their own audience and there’d be huge screens at all five, and elsewhere, to allow the maximum number of people to enjoy an as-live experience.
The show/s would feature drones and lasers and fireworks, and whatever other tech there is at the time, and would recognise our past sporting heroes, and those Queenslanders and Australians who’ve excelled in other fields. Live performances would draw on our vastly talented homegrown artists — actors, poets, dancers, circus performers, marching bands and more. And, of course, there would be a prominent, authentic and respectful First Nations element.
As I’ve already suggested on socil media, it could all be done to a megamix of music with an emphasis on Queensland stars including, but not limited to, Gladys Moncrieff, Harold Blair, Chad Morgan, Carol Lloyd, The Saints, the Riptides, the Go-Betweens, Don Walker (of Cold Chisel fame), Powderfinger, Custard, Sheppard, Christine Anu, Graeme Connors, Kate Miller-Heidke, Gina Jeffreys, Billy Thorpe, Savage Garden, Keith Urban and the Bee Gees.
Spreading things out geographically would help with crowd control (although maybe involve a little more security), but it would help make it clear that this is not just an Olympics for the elite who can afford a ticket to the single venue on opening night.
There would be five simultaneous shows, along with parties in parks and public halls and anywhere else people choose to celebrate.
And it would be cheaper than the ever-escalating price of building a new stadium that we don’t really need.
Whaddya reckon? It’s got to be worth consideration.
I like this idea - the 5 venues colour coded and all interlinked. Definitely a south bank event where I expect the beach volley ball will run with the city skyline and all the pedestrian bridges in the background. Probs have to include Mt Coot-tha somewhere in there - perhaps the bike road race or the marathon. I think the music will have to be cast more widely to Australian bands, with well known/international Bris/Qld bands being a touch thin on the ground.... Anyway, looking forward to it
We must remember that the host nation for the 2032 Games is Australia. Sure, we can - and must - emphasise Queensland, but we can include non-Queensland artists in the opening ceremony, just as we’ll include non-Queensland athletes in the “home” team.