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After two COVID-affected Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021 (summer) and Beijing in 2022 (winter), .

With no health-related restrictions, tourists and spectators will be there in droves. Athletes will be able to mix in the city rather than stay locked down in the Olympic Village.

The City of Lights promises . There will be 32 sports and 329 events taking place, several large fan zones and numerous tourist sites in this enchanting and famous world-class city.

Hospitality is guaranteed to be in full swing, accentuated by French “joi de vivre”.

So, what lessons can Brisbane learn eight years ahead of hosting the 2032 Games?

Getting ready for Brisbane

Brisbane will have its challenges trying to emulate Paris but has the potential to bring a .

Here are some of the changes that may take place.

New Sports: in Paris. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) sets out policies and guidelines that determine which sports can be added to the portfolio.

However, a host city’s organising committee can recommend new sports to be approved for their games. Under this arrangement, the Los Angeles games added squash, flag football, lacrosse, cricket and baseball/softball to the existing 27 core sports.

Brisbane can have the same influence and is likely to keep most of the 2028 additions and may look to add sports such as surf lifesaving, , netball, lawn bowls or even .

An Enhanced Spectator Experience: About will be available in Paris for spectators who have been provided with designated information links.

There are lots of special including sites at , as well as 33 “” the public can visit either free or at a modest cost – usually a lot less than sport tickets.

Most of these venues have been set up by countries’ ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Olympic Committees but there are others like and one called the for Olympic Collectors.

Surprisingly, Australia does not have an , an omission that could change for future Olympics.

Tourism Boost: The 2024 Paris games are set to increase tourism spending by up to . Likewise, the Brisbane games can deliver a similar boost for Australia – currently ranked the in the world.

TV/Media Initiatives: There will be unprecedented television, streaming and media coverage of the Paris games around the globe. . This could expand further by 2032 with creative new platforms and ways to follow the events.

Opening Ceremonies: Paris is planning unique opening ceremonies, initially using the for a 90+ boat cavalcade with up to 300,000 spectators able to watch. It will then move to the Trocadero where the remaining elements of the Olympic protocol take place.

Depending on how well this is received, the Brisbane River is a possibility to be used in a similar vein.

Security, Terrorism, Cyber Hacking, Water Pollution, Social and Political Unrest: How will the French handle ?

As France sits in the busy European corridor, and with nearby international problems in the Ukraine and Gaza, there could be .

Even though Australia is a remote island continent far removed from current hot spots, new problems could emerge by 2032.

Extreme Weather Conditions: Extreme heat, which has been predicted for Paris in a , can lead to schedule problems and athlete health concerns. In contrast, the Brisbane games will take place in the Australian winter months, which are not traditionally affected by extremely hot temperatures, excessive rain, storms or cyclones.

Doping Issues and Controversies: Although there will be strict drug testing in Paris, athletes may still get caught cheating and consequently banned. This might even occur post-games as test protocols get more sophisticated.

A current controversy highlights this – by the World Anti-Doping Agency after testing positive before those games commenced.

Doping remains a thorn in the side for upcoming Olympics, including Brisbane in 2032.

Banned Olympic Countries and Cyber Hacking Retaliation: For Paris, except as individual neutral athletes (with no flags or marching in the ceremonies).

There are strong indications Russia may retaliate and engage in at the 2024 games.

What will be the case a long eight years from now? Could there still be bans on certain nations and cyber issues Brisbane organisers will need to deal with?

Iconic Venues with Tradition and History: Paris is using many such as beach volleyball being held near the Eiffel Tower and equestrian at the Palace of Versailles.

Brisbane can try to create an Aussie theme emphasising a “sun and beach culture”. With both the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast serving as regional sites, the Sunshine State can promote this as a distinctive feature.

Aussie Success at the Summer Games: As a very successful Olympic nation (11th overall), are for Australia to finish fifth on the medal table in Paris with around 50 medals.

Host nations in the vast majority of cases on previous games so by 2032 Australia could reach third place, tying the achieved in Melbourne in 1956.

The current state of play for the Brisbane games

Planning is with the establishment of the Brisbane Organising Committee for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games as well as the Brisbane 2032 Coordination Office. The vast majority of , the four athletes’ villages and transport upgrades have also been confirmed.

One , and instead use existing ones. by the Queensland government and endorsed by the IOC and the AOC.

An October 2024 state election could see this situation change as several proponents are keen to have a new stadium.

Most Queenslanders of hosting the games but have expressed concerns about the event’s impact on finances, infrastructure and daily life.

With eight years to go, there is plenty of time to sort out issues and also take lessons from the Paris games, as well as Los Angeles four years later.

Both Melbourne in 1956 (often referred to as the “Friendly Games”) and Sydney in 2000 () hosted extremely successful Olympics.

Brisbane should be aiming to follow suit.

H. Björn Galjaardt is a PhD Candidate in Olympic Coaches’ Learning at the University of Queensland and a casual academic in Sports Coaching subjects.

Richard Baka does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.