Australian Olympic Committee Backs Study For Brisbane 2028 Olympic Bid

The Australian Olympic Committee has "given its backing to a study looking into a possible Brisbane-centred bid" to host the 2028 Olympic Summer Games, according to Greg Stutchbury of REUTERS. A consortium of local authorities in southern Queensland said in February it was "considering bidding for the Games and had launched a study to determine whether it was feasible." AOC President John Coates said, "We look forward to working with you on this project of national and international significance." Coates advised the group to have the feasibility study "completed by the end of next year before seeking central government support" in '17. A decision on the 2024 Games will be made in '17, with the "host of the 2028 Games not decided" until '19. Coates said a bid would "need to be supported by the AOC" before it went to the IOC. He added that the IOC "would release new guidelines for bidding cities later this year" (REUTERS, 4/10).