WATER POLO OLYMPIANS THRILLED FOR POTENTIAL QUEENSLAND OLYMPIC GAMES IN 2032

Members of the Australian men’s and women's Olympic squads, past and present, have welcomed today’s news that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will enter into “Targeted Dialogue” with the Brisbane, Queensland candidature to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The decision, which was taken at the IOC Executive Board Meeting today, confers “preferred host” status to the Brisbane candidature which has the support of the Federal Government, Queensland Government, the Council of Mayors, South East Queensland, Australian Olympic Committee and Paralympics Australia.

Sydney 2000 Olympic gold medalist and proud Queenslander, Naomi McCarthy, is thrilled for the broader opportunities a home Games could present for sport in Australia.

“I really hope that Brisbane is able to have the Olympics in 2032 as it would be amazing for Queensland but also Australia.

“It’s not just the opportunity the Olympics themselves presents, but the lead up to the event with increased investment and support for high performance sport which would be fantastic.

“A home Olympics would see more people getting involved in water polo as well as an uptake in sport overall which is such a positive,” she said.

For Aussie Sharks triple Olympian Rhys Howden, another proud Queenslander who is currently preparing for his fourth Olympic Games campaign, he is excited for today’s news.

“I remember the hype and excitement around the Sydney 2000 Games and my family and I went to watch the water polo and basketball matches, it was an amazing experience as a young guy.

“As a kid you’re in awe of the Olympics Games and you really look up to those Olympians… I would love to see that for more young people here in Australia.

“I wasn’t really into water polo the last time the Olympics were in Australia, but I remember watching those athletes and I was amazed.

“Every Olympics I have been part of is amazing, but I do remember all the old Sharks players reliving the great moments of playing in front of a home crowd and it sounded particularly special,” he said.

Triple Olympian Bron Knox echoed Howden’s comments, speaking fondly of memories she has in Sydney 2000.

“It would be fantastic to have it here in Queensland, I only started water polo because I saw it in Sydney in 2000, so to be able to host an amazing event like the Olympics would be phenomenal,” Knox said.

“My family drove down to Sydney to watch the Games, we didn’t even have tickets to the water polo. It was only when the girls won their semi final that we got on the phone and snagged a couple.

“It was an unbelievable event, we didn’t sit down throughout the whole thing, it was so close. For the girls to win on the final buzzer was an amazing experience - growing up I knew that was what I wanted to do and that is how I transitioned from swimming into water polo,” she said.

Aussie Stingers captain Rowie Webster said a home Olympics in 2032 would inspire the next generation of Australian sporting stars.

"I look back on the Sydney 2000 Olympics and that is what inspired me, so for the next generation of athletes around the country and around the world to see the best country in the world hosting the Olympics I think that is a really positive step,” Webster said.

"I think if you can’t see it you can’t dream it, so to have it on our doorstep is pretty inspiring for the next generation and those that are returning as well."

"I think there is only a few of us that were actually born and watched the game and watched the gold medal but that is what inspires us everyday to recreate that history,” she said.