Pierre-Olivier Beckers-Vieujant, a senior member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) who has spent the past seven years overseeing preparations for the Paris Games, admits to being perplexed about Brisbane. Unlike many Europeans, Beckers-Vieujant can readily find the Queensland capital on a map. And as the chair of the IOC’s co-ordinating commission for Paris, he understands better than most the challenges host cities confront in trying to maintain public support for the world’s most disruptive sporting event.
Pierre-Olivier Beckers-Vieujant says there is no reason for anyone to be nervous about Brisbane’s Olympic preparations – yet. Credit: Getty Images What confuses the Belgian baron, at least at this stage of Brisbane’s preparations, is why there is so much consternation in Australia about Brisbane not being ready to host an Olympics and Paralympics still eight years away. “My view on Brisbane is that nobody should start being nervous about it,” he says.
“I have read articles showing there is nervousness about the fact that some venues have not been finalised, et cetera. Well, Brisbane has eight years ahead of it. The normal cycle time for preparation is seven years.
Brisbane was elected very early. Loading “These eight years give time enough for Brisbane to do a great job. And that means Brisbane has the luxury to watch and see what really will happen with the Paris 2024 games.
They will be able to an analysis of what really worked and what was .