"IT'S marathon, not a sprint, but we need to make sure we have a legacy for our community."
These are the words of Redland City Mayor Karen Williams as she spoke about the 2032 Olympic bid at the Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce business breakfast on Friday.
Cr Williams said it was a bold decision to pursue the Olympic Games, but it may be the boost the Redlands needed, and a chance to increase the area's international profile.
"It could be a catalyst for the delivery of critical transport infrastructure. However, we will not sign up the Redlands to the games without the infrastructure to improve local lifestyles - no infrastructure, no games," she said.
Cr Willaims said if Queensland was successful in securing the 2032 Games, it would mark a period of investment and infrastructure delivery that might otherwise be denied to the area.
"The lifestyle we enjoy here will be boosted by better public transport and roads, and the prosperity that comes with the economic and tourism boost the Olympic Games will bring," she said.
CEO of the Council of Mayors (SEQ) Scott Smith said they had been working tirelessly for several years to look at the Olympic SEQ deal.
He reiterated the mayor's words and emphasized the Games being a catalyst for infrastructure. Mr Smith said hosting such a large event would make SEQ a global destination for trade, investment and tourism, creating jobs and growing the economy.
"The cost of bidding and hosting has been reduced from previous years. There will be no white elephants as we will reuse venues and facilities, athletes will train in Queensland and money gets spent locally," he said.
He concluded with reminding people the children starting prep now would be the Olympic athletes in 2032.
"Let's give them something to aspire to," he said.
Managing director of Inspiring Cities John Aitken opened the floor for a brief discussion with the mayor, Mr Smith and MPs, Andrew Laming, Don Brown and Mark Robinson.
"The way is now clear for us to progress to a final proposal, which would go before the International Olympic Committee before the Tokyo Olympics in July. The winner could then be named as early as 2021," Cr Williams said.
