Tokyo Olympics LIVE updates Brisbane confirmed as 2032 hosts as Matildas prepare for New Zealand

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Aptly, John Coates described the Olympic and Paralympic Games as “not won, but served”.

A couple of hours later, Brisbane would not ‘win’ the hosting rights to the 2032 Games in any real sense; instead, by taking on the weight of an Olympiad, Brisbane will be doing service to the Olympic movement.

Timing might be everything in sport, and it will be 11 years before we can say whether the Queensland capital’s rescue package for the Games will have been years ahead of the curve or embarrassingly behind it. Brisbane will either be the wide-eyed yokel who marvelled at the good fortune of being the only bidder in an empty auction house, or it will be the genius who snapped up the greatest bargain on Earth.

Read the rest of Malcolm Knox’s terrific take on the 2032 decision right here.

It might be a cool night by Brisbane standards but crowds on the riverbank have celebrated the city’s Olympics win.

Here’s a selection of the scenes:

Fireworks over Brisbane after the news.Credit:Getty

Crowds rose as one when news filtered through from Tokyo.Credit:Getty

A party atmosphere took hold after the announcement was made.Credit:Getty

Back to Tokyo 2020, and there’s plenty happening . We mentioned the women’s football match between the United States and Sweden earlier - they’re the other two teams in Australia’s group, aside from New Zealand.

Well, we could have a boilover on our hands. The USA - who are four-time gold medallists, and have won the last two Women’s World Cups - are currently 1-0 down to Sweden, who took the lead in the 25th minute through Stina Blackstenius.

There’s huge implications for how the Matildas’ Tokyo campaign will unfold, but that’s just huge in general - many people though this Olympic tournament was as foregone a conclusion as the 2032 bidding process. That is to say, the USA are hot favourites, and now they have it all to do.

By way of reminder, we’re around two hours and 20 minutes away from kick-off between the Matildas and New Zealand. Australia’s got Sweden next up on Saturday.

Australian Sports Commission chair Josephine Sukkar has also welcomed the IOC’s decision, and says an extended 11-year runway to 2032 provides an incredible opportunity to unite the nation through sport.

“When you consider how successful Sydney 2000 was and how those Games still carry an enormous legacy today, the extended build-up to Brisbane 2032 is an incredible opportunity to again unite Australia through sport,” Ms Sukkar said in a statement.

“For a lucky few, competing in Brisbane will represent an opportunity of a lifetime. All of us, however, can benefit from the positive influence of a home Games if we embrace it.

“We must take advantage of the laser-like focus hosting a home Games presents us. It is a chance to drive sport participation, re-invigorate volunteering, elevate our inspiring sporting heroes and continue building our vision for sustainable success across Australian sport.

“There is a golden decade of major sporting events on home soil ahead, with World Cups or World Championships locked in for basketball, cricket, football, and netball, to name some. Every sport needs to take advantage of this generational opportunity, to capture the hearts and minds of Australians. We are ready for this moment.

“We acknowledge the hard work of all that have contributed to this successful Brisbane 2032 bid, including the Australian Government, Queensland Government, Australian Olympic Committee and Paralympics Australia.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Queensland will forge an enduring legacy for our entire nation.

“They will support economic growth and investment, deliver lasting community benefits and inspire the next generation of Australian athletes,” he said in the AOC’s press release, issued just now.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison welcoming the news.Credit:ABC

“I am proud of Australia, proud of Queensland and proud of our team that secured this win for our country.

“The Commonwealth Government has supported Brisbane’s candidacy for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games right from the very start. We believe in this bid.

“We know it’s a huge opportunity for our nation, just like the Melbourne Games in 1956 and the Sydney Olympics in 2000.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has released a statement welcoming the confirmation of Brisbane as the host of the 2032 Olympics saying it was a “coup for the nation”.

“It’s a historic day not just for Brisbane and Queensland, but for the entire country,” he said. “Only global cities can secure the Olympic Games â€" so this is fitting recognition for Brisbane’s standing across our region and the world.

“It also marks an important leap forward for Australia as we look toward major events that lock in economic growth and social benefits that will echo for years to come.

“We know the impact on Sydney more than two decades ago was transformative. We can now expect a repeat for Brisbane and communities across Queensland.

“It’s a proud day for Queenslanders and Australians everywhere.”

...and as it turns out, it wasn’t a totally unanimous decision.

There were 72 votes for Brisbane’s bid, but three abstensions and five against, it’s been revealed.

Leave it to Phil Lutton to give you the perspective on this momentous decision through his maroon-tinted glasses.

“It shouldn’t take long to win everyone over,” Lutton writes here.

Johnathan ThurstonCredit:AAP

“Queensland supplies half of the Olympic team anyway, so it makes sense to cut down on travel.

“And once I paint a vivid picture of Johnathan Thurston lighting the cauldron by curling in a flaming Steeden from the left-hand touchline, they will give themselves over to the cause.”

Brisbane’s Olympic announcement came through delayed for those gathering on the banks of the Brisbane River as the livestream switched to Tokyo showing the committee already celebrating.

As the crowd heard from Olympians as the announcement drew closer, it was realised Brisbane’s success had already been revealed.

But the mishap didn’t deter the crowd as thousands danced as fireworks lit up the city.

If there were any lingering doubts about whether Brisbane already had the 2032 Games in the bag, they were dispelled at 2pm on Wednesday when the Brisbane delegation sat down for an exclusive lunch hosted by IOC boss Thomas Bach.

The delegation was due to deliver its final pitch to host the Games to the floor of the IOC congress in a conference room of the Yokyo’s Okura hotel in a little under two hours time.

Once Queensland Premier Annastasia Palaszczuk, Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and federal Sports Minister Richard Colbeck were greeted by Bach, they knew that only Brisbane was on the IOC menu.

Read the rest of this terrific analysis on the intricacies of the Brisbane bid from Chip Le Grand here.

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