Australia’s Olympic legacy is taking shape again, this time with a figure embodying the spirit of excellence and sporting inspiration. Ian Thorpe, five-time Olympic gold medalist, has joined the Brisbane 2032 Athletes and Sport Advisory Group, a body created to ensure that the voices of athletes are at the heart of the organization of the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games. His participation brings not only experience and prestige but also a deeply human perspective on what it means to compete and represent a country on the world stage.
Thorpe joins a panel featuring prominent Australian sports figures, including swimmer and group president Susie O’Neill, wheelchair racer Kurt Fearnley, and canoeist Jessica Fox. The group’s purpose is clear: to provide direct guidance to the Brisbane 2032 Organizing Committee, connecting logistical and structural decisions with the real needs of athletes. “Ian is not only one of Australia’s top Olympic athletes but also an incredible advocate for success and athlete support across the country,” highlighted O’Neill, setting the collaborative tone guiding this process.
Diverse voices for a shared legacy
Thorpe’s inclusion adds to a network of advisory groups created by the Brisbane 2032 Organizing Committee to build representative and inclusive Games. In addition to the athletes’ group, councils were formed for First Nations communities, the business sector, and Queensland mayors, providing local perspectives to ensure the event’s benefits extend beyond the capital. Seven municipal leaders, including Ipswich mayor Teresa Harding and Redlands mayor Jos Mitchell, recently joined the Host Mayors Advisory Group, whose president, Adrian Schrinner, emphasized the importance of giving a voice to all regions of the state.
“The Olympic legacy must be felt in every community,” said Schrinner, convinced that regional participation is essential for the Games to positively transform the territory. The same vision was reinforced by Brisbane 2032 president Andrew Liveris, who highlighted that the project’s success will depend not only on sporting excellence but also on its lasting impact: “There is tremendous support and goodwill in Queensland and beyond to ensure our Games are successful and leave a meaningful legacy for local communities,” he stated.
A process seeking balance and long-term vision
The creation of these advisory groups follows internal reforms aimed at strengthening the governance of the event. In July, the Queensland Government reduced the size of the Organizing Committee Board from 24 to 15 members to streamline decision-making and promote more efficient planning. According to Liveris, this new structure will allow advisors to bring technical knowledge, social sensitivity, and an integrative approach that helps refine the vision of Brisbane 2032.
Contributions from athletes, mayors, and community representatives will be crucial in shaping key aspects of the legacy: from the design of the Olympic Village and facility accessibility to sustainable initiatives that aim to balance environmental impact with economic and social benefits. In this way, Brisbane 2032 is envisioned not just as a sporting event but as a collective exercise in planning, identity, and the future for all of Australia.
