By Max Goonan
Forget the amazing medal tally just for a moment.
Hosting an Olympic and Paralympic Games shouldn’t be a competition amongst nations, but rather a collective relay where each country contributes and improves upon the one before it, leaving a lasting and unique legacy for each community that hosts the Games.
While Paris and Brisbane are literally poles apart and with legacy now viewed as a blueprint for sustainable development, there are some great learnings we can take away from the host city.
1. Set our sights early on social legacy
Saint-Denis is one of the poorest and youngest areas in France and also the heart of Paris 2024. The district is poised to benefit substantially from the Olympic Games, with public investments concentrating 80 percent of their funds in the area. It means that the 50 percent of 11-year-olds living there who cannot swim now will be able to learn to do so at the new Aquatics Centre.
More broadly, a new regulation post Games requires that French primary schools include 30 minutes of physical activity each day, with the goal of incorporating regular exercise into the lives of young learners.
What would be a similarly impactful social legacy Brisbane 2032 could create? We need to start planning now an ambitious series of social legacy objectives so that the Games can be a catalyst for urban regeneration, community development and environmental innovation that is felt for years to come.
2. A volunteer force like no other
As one of the two million visitors from around the world attending the 2024 Games, one reflection is that whilst the volunteers were an essential part of the spirit of event it was somewhat disappointing that on a number of occasions they were unable to provide advice or support when required.
This wasn’t through a lack of willing, suggesting that the quality of the training and information provided to volunteers was part of the issue.
Even though mobile apps today are more efficient in providing directions, what they can’t deliver yet is a broad, engaging smile that really helps elevate a visitor’s experience.
Many Sydneysiders, some 24 years later, still present their volunteer uniforms with pride, knowing what the volunteer force did in contributing to the success of Sydney 2000.
At its core Brisbane is a welcoming, hospitable place to live and visit (not many commuters in any other capital city thank the bus driver)!
With a need for a volunteer work force of at least 60,000 leading up to 2032, there is an extraordinary opportunity to deliver what could be seen as the friendliest Games ever.
3. Reimagining mobility
The Parisian transit system was outstanding, supported by an additional 60km of bike lanes crowning a multi-year modal shift towards active travel across the city.
What could be more inspirational for Brisbane to enhance its green infrastructure plans and promote greater mobility?
Brisbane City Council has an ambitious plan of increasing its active transport mode share to 50 percent by 2031, which means more people walking, cycling, and using public transit.
With a broader games ecosystem that includes the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast, Brisbane’s reliance on the existing traffic corridors will need to change and quickly.
The role of improved rail and road infrastructure for a lasting games legacy will be absolutely pivotal and cannot be underestimated.
4. Leveraging our natural assets
The Story Bridge may not compete with the Eiffel Tower when it comes to stunning, urban backdrops that pack broadcasting appeal.
Why not then celebrate the unique beauty of our natural environment, particularly in the Sunshine and Gold Coast regions to showcase Australia’s distinctive regional landscapes?
To do this well, we need to continue to strengthen effective and ongoing policies to preserve a thriving natural environment.
5. Cultural engagement
Wherever we may be in our journey of Reconciliation in eight years’ time, it will prove a powerful opportunity to present to the world an Australia where the cultures, histories and rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are better understood, recognised and respected.
In addition to acknowledging the world’s oldest continuing cultures, we should also be showcasing the unique diversity of Australia’s harmonious yet multicultural society.
Organising an Olympic and Paralympic Games in the current era really is akin to the collaborative efforts of a relay race.
It not only highlights the unique qualities of each host city but also benefits from the cooperation and the pooled knowledge gained from past hosts, to accelerate pace.
The aim increasingly is to set new cumulative, sustainable benchmarks that deliver positive impact and legacy for local communities in fresh ways.
– Max Goonan is the Pre-positioning Lead – Mega Events, for global professional services firm GHD
