Sydney's suite of rebuilt stadiums "would be used to turbocharge bids" to host sport's biggest global events, including the football and rugby World Cups, under a plan put to the state government, according to Anna Caldwell of the Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH. It envisages "leveraging the multibillion-dollar refurbishment" of ANZ, Allianz and Parramatta Stadiums to "target the women’s and men’s rugby World Cups" in '21 and '27, respectively, and the FIFA women’s and men’s World Cups in '23 and '30. Prepared by Western Sydney’s leading business groups, the proposal "also calls for Sydney to bid to host the Commonwealth Games" in '26 or '30. It hopes to hold the opening and closing ceremonies plus events such as rugby sevens and hockey at the rebuilt rectangular Olympic Park stadium, with athletics, which requires an oval track, being held next door at Spotless Stadium. The plan was developed by the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue, Western Sydney Business Chamber and Sydney Olympic Park Business Association. Success "would attract millions in tourism dollars for the economy and revive the glory days" of the Sydney 2000 Olympics by "putting the city on the international map" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 3/12).
