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The first piece of the Brisbane 2032 Games emblems has been revealed, with a long ray-like golden design.
Retired swimmer Ian Thorpe and Paralympic swimmer Grant “Scooter” Patterson unveiled the first piece of the emblems for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games on Tuesday morning at Cairns Esplanade Lagoon in Far North Queensland, kicking off a multi-day rollout stretching across the state.
Patterson theorised the section could be a symmetrical piece of the emblems, matched by another on the other side.
“It could be one of the edge pieces that create a full emblem,” he said.
Thorpe speculated it could be the fin of a turtle, and said he hoped the emblems would represent the reef or Queensland’s unique nature.
“We have the largest coral reef in the world just up there, a little bit north, the oldest rainforest in the world, and they meet together, so I think that would be a great symbol for the Olympic Games – almost all of Queensland has that as well, which is unique,” he said.
The duo also suggested it could be part of a crocodile.
As a local, Scooter said he was humbled to be part of the emblems’ reveal campaign.
“But also, I want to experience the chance to be part of a home Game,” he said. “I know Thorpe did it in 2000 and it’s pretty special, and obviously I’ve waited a long time, but I probably would have retired early if Brisbane was coming around.
“I think it’d be pretty special to be a part of and that’s why I want to hang around for it swimming-wise but also get behind revealing the piece of the emblem to create awareness and get a bit of hype going leading up to Brisbane 2032.”
Thorpe said the rollout was a clever way to reveal it and showcase the best of Queensland.
“What we hope is that this emblem is emblematic for the entire state,” he said. “It’s a difficult thing to do in a state the size of Queensland. But, you know, it’s nice to find the first piece, and when we put it all together, I hope it does represent that.”
It is the first time the emblems have been revealed in pieces but not the first time a host city has taken a risk with its design.
The Los Angeles 2028 emblems feature an ever-changing element, with the “A” in “LA” made up of multiple designs changed out to reflect the diversity of the host city. It was revealed in 2020.
The Alpes 2030 emblems went back to basics, with two simple designs intended to evoke a mountain emerging from light.
The Olympic emblem tradition dates back to Athens 1896, which had its own coat of arms.
The Olympic rings were used for the first time in a graphic for the Games in Antwerp 1920. Each of the Games has featured its own emblem since Paris 1924.
Most recently, the Milano Cortina 2026 emblem featured the number 26 as if traced in the snow by hand and was intended to represent the idea that the smallest, most natural gestures can change the world.
The Paris 2024 emblem featured a medal, the Olympic flame, and a Marianne, the symbol of the French Republic. Her face was also intended to signify the Games was for all, given it was the first gender-balanced Games and was hosted in Paris, where in 1900 women were able to compete for the first time. It was also the first Games to feature the same emblem for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Australia’s previous Games might provide insight into how Brisbane 2032 will approach the emblems.
The Sydney 2000 emblem was designed to showcase the host city as a modern metropolis on the edge of an ancient land. It featured a man, made up of three boomerangs, under a bolt of lightning resembling the Sydney Opera House. Its blue, yellow and red colour palette symbolised the harbour water, sun and earth of the city.
After Cairns, the emblems tour will also feature stops in Townsville and Rockhampton. All three will host Brisbane 2032 events.
Cairns will host soccer preliminaries for Brisbane 2032 at Barlow Park, one of multiple venues to do so. The Cairns Convention Centre has also been earmarked as a possible venue for indoor sport events.
Barlow Park was closed on September 21 by the Games Authority for upgrades, which include the relocation of power and water. Limited athletics and community use is expected to resume in early 2027.
Townsville is also set to host soccer preliminaries, as well as sailing in the Whitsundays. Rockhampton is slated to host rowing, canoe sprints, paracanoe and paralympic rowing events on the Fitzroy River.
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