A potential bid to host the 2028 Olympics in Brisbane "gained further traction on Friday with the Australian Olympic Committee backing the decision to fund a further feasibility study," according to Greg Stutchbury of REUTERS. Local media reported on Friday that mayors from south-east Queensland had "agreed to fund a more detailed feasibility study on the possibility of hosting the Games in the region." Australian Olympic Committee President John Coates said, "The Australian Olympic Committee has supported the concept of a feasibility study from the outset. We see this as the first step in the process." Coates added that the AOC would "back the bid further if the study adhered to two principles" from the IOC around meeting long-term sporting, economic, environmental and social needs and using existing facilities. Coates: "We believe this would be possible given the existing venues and infrastructure spread throughout the entire Council of Mayors area of south-east Queensland." The decision would also "prove something of a fillip for IOC bosses, who are concerned the Games is losing its luster, with a pattern of cities pulling out of bidding for both summer and winter Games after baulking at huge costs required" (REUTERS, 9/23).
GREEN LIGHT: In Sydney, Cameron Atfield reported the announcement "was not a formal declaration of intent, but the biggest indication yet a south-east Queensland bid for the 2028 Games was firming up." Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said that the mayors "decided to go ahead with the feasibility study," which would cost the region's ratepayers up to A$2.5M ($1.9M). Quirk said that the Council of Mayors decided "overwhelmingly" to go ahead with the feasibility study on Friday. He said, "For us, it's about making sure this work dovetails in other important work the Council of Mayors is undertaking." Quirk said that the decision by the Gold Coast and Logan city councils not to contribute to the cost would not result in "other councils having to pay more." Instead, Quirk "expected the private sector to chip in to the cost." He said, "If that's not forthcoming, then there is no point ever in proceeding to a full bid, because you've got to gather and harness support as you go" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 9/23).