Sport scientists should help plan Brisbane 2032
Following years of training and personal sacrifice, a mere 1000th of a second can be all that stands between an athlete and the ultimate triumph of an Olympic or Paralympic gold medal.
Last year’s Games in Paris showed that Australia’s national performance at the world event just keeps getting better and better, and we are all eagerly awaiting moments of triumph and best performances at the 2032 Brisbane Games.
Brisbane will get its chance to showcase our nation’s best athletes and have its moment on the world stage. But we need to get the stage right.
Nothing can be left to chance for our athletes such as Ariarne Titmus and Cam McEvoy when it comes to the quality of the venue on the day of their race. Ariarne and Cam have one day every four years to swim their fastest against the world’s best. If they fail, they will have to wait another four years for the same race to come around again.
Behind the scenes, accredited sport scientists play a critical role in these gold medal-winning performances.
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Australia has some of the most respected sport scientists in the world who are highly sought after by globally recognised clubs in the largest sporting competitions including the NFL, NBA, MBL and EPL, and at home in the NRL, AFL, Super Rugby and A-League.
There’s a direct and proven link between Australia’s prowess in sport and the quality of our accredited sport scientists.
Not only do they support global sporting success, but these experts also have access to some of the world’s greatest infrastructure. They see it all – what works, what doesn’t and importantly what world-class facilities need to support athletes, spectators, sponsors, media partners, political leaders, security and suppliers.
The combined knowledge of this elite group would be beneficial for the Brisbane Organising Committee for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
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In fact, it would be a massive oversight not to include these professionals in the planning and development of all venues as they have incredible insights on how to best support individuals and teams to ensure world-class athlete performance.
Further to this, accredited sport scientists can provide incredible insights on how to design for long-lasting legacy well after the Games depart our shores in 2032.
Sports scientists, as well as exercise physiologists, accredited with Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) can provide unique input on the intricate details our Brisbane 2032 venues require to ensure optimal participation of all users and patrons for many years to come.
In its submission to the state government’s 100-day infrastructure review, ESSA has strongly proposed that accredited sport scientists and exercise physiologists be engaged and involved in the design, planning and operation of our venues to ensure they are fit for purpose not just for the event but beyond.
The venues must serve our communities by supporting local and national sport, world-class sporting events, and activities for the people of Brisbane by activating public spaces for decades to come.
Much like the athletes, whose place on the podium can come down to a fraction of a second, Brisbane has one chance to get this right and put on a gold medal-worthy performance.
Duncan Armstrong is an Olympic Gold Medallist and the General Manager, Stakeholder Engagement at Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA).
