AustralianFan

Ok firstly, I hope and suspect that once the July/August technical assessments by World Rowing of the Fitzroy River course at Rockhampton are complete, that this venue will not be approved for Olympic or Paralympic competition. But that’s only my gut telling me that and we will need to see what the final verdict is from World Rowing. Secondly, it’s the wet season right now, so this expected minor flood event you‘ve mentioned is nothing new and no damage of anything has yet occurred. If this was 2032 now, the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton, like any river anywhere, rises and falls during it’s wet season, well outside the Olympic/Paralympic Games period of July-September which are in the dry season. The history of Fitzroy River flooding at Rockhampton below from the Bureau of Meteorology dating back from 1855 onwards shows that flooding events have all occurred during the November to April wet season. And yet the rowing course and the Fitzroy Rowing Club facilities remain there to this day But the real question here is around a business case: is the required legacy rowing infrastructure and temporary Olympic overlay investment at the Rockhampton rowing course in 6 years time in 2032 compared to a location further south? In the unlikely event that World Rowing’s technical assessments for the July-September Games period actually find that the Fitzroy River rowing course is suitable for competition at that time of year, is the required investment in infrastructure worth it on a legacy basis in Rockhampton where there is a much smaller population compared to another venue further south in the heavily populated South East Queensland region? Wet Season Rockhampton: November to April Games Period: June to September

Yes, possibly @Brisbane Boy, …. but the Games Olympic rowing competitions on Rockhampton’s Fitzroy River are scheduled for July/August, the driest time of year there. The dry season is from June to September with the wet November to April in Rockhampton. Having said that my gut feeling is that World Rowing assessments will in the end find that the Fitzroy River course in Rockhampton does not meet it’s strict technical requirements. I’d expect these technical assessments will be done during July/August.

Gold Coast Arena update The Gold Coast City Council has voted to progress the new Gold Coast Arena on to the next stage on a “no-commitment” basis. This allows negotiations to commence with a preferred partner as part of a proposed public-private partnership, while a business case is progressed. “The vote does not commit the council to any funding or construction agreement at this stage.” Olympic sports such as basketball or Volleyball are among the sports tipped to be played at the new 12,000 seat stadium. Credit: Ausstadiums.com Credit: ABC News Australia

I think that is an excellent call and Baz would produce amazing ceremonies.

I’m sorry to hear that @Victorian, it must have been very disappointing. How about LA2028?

It’s amazing how LA2028 are really adapting in a big way their two largest venues, LA Memorial Coliseum for track and field and Sofi Stadium for a gob-smacking monster swimming venue. Yes for sure a sell-out at both venues and what an exciting historic Games to be there for. Fingers crossed 🤞 I liked the light stylish mauve tint of Paris 2024’s running track in Stade de France. If LA2028 were to go for a multi-coloured track it would look great if done correctly through gradient tints as you said. It would be a first too for an Olympic Games? It would also complement the dynamic rotating multi-coloured system of the LA2028 emblem.

LA2028 Renovation: raising the “floor” of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum I wasn’t aware of this temporary stadium renovation at the Coliseum where the seating bowl is to be temporarily reduced for the Games while the entire stadium floor is raised to accommodate the LA2028 running track and field events starting in week 1. The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum stadium floor is to be temporarily to be raised and built directly and carefully over the existing NFL pitch to preserve it for post-Games NFL game when the stadium configuration will return to NFL/College Football mode. Amazing stuff.

March 25 event: Games delivery update Coming up on 25 March at the Queensland Media Club is a delivery update by the QLD Govt on Brisbane 2032 from 12:00 to 14:00 AEST. Delivering Brisbane 2032 - event tickets

That’s awesome @PikyoK ❤️. Being in an Olympic City during the Games is so exciting and addictive.

@StefanMUC yes that would have helped a great deal. @intoronto’s very positve experience at the 2018 PeyongChang Olympic Winter Games shows it can be done where accommodation was provided much to the relief of Volunteers. @Rob2012 not sure if the Games will ever evolve into Volunteers transitioning into being part of the paid workforce. @baron-pierreIV thankyou. Yes it would be interesting if Olympic sponsor Airbnb actually provide, or not, any help or financial incentives and/or discounts to assist out-of-town or international accredited volunteers with accommodation (?).

It’s a pleasure @PikyoK. Being involved in an Olympic Games as a Volunteer is truly an uplifting experience and I highly recommend it.

That’s great. Sounds like a fantastic experience and that they paid for accommodation too which must have been a real bonus and a great relief.

That’s awesome @Bear Two home Games to volunteer at.

Yes, true.

Awesome, might see you there.

@Tejas57 are you thinking of Volunteering or working at Brisbane 2032?

Yes things will really start to pick up pace once the Logo and branding system is revealed later this year.

I know @Victorian you were keen on volunteering at Milano Cortina 2026. Did you make it over there? @Bear I’ve only just looked up today the link to Volunteering at LA2028 . Are you thinking of applying?

@Victorian @Bear@TorchbearerSydney

A memorable amazing life-changing experience I was a Games Volunteer Team Leader at Athens 2004 Mens and Womens Triathlon, media access volunteer on the field of play at the start/finish of the Cycling Road Taces and Time Trials. I only speak English which actually oddly was a big help in being placed in prime positions. We were not paid but did receive tickets to the Opening Ceremony Dress Rehearsal (where a mentally unwell woman leapt from the rehearsal audience during the parade of nations practice and attacked DJ Tiesto screaming “Devil music, Devil music” - security took a while to react but she was eventually subdued and dragged off screaming). As Volunteers we received full uniforms and accreditation. Apart from the Dress Rehearsal of the Opening Ceremony, we didn’t receve tickets to any other events but I had already long purchased bought my own tickets to some events once I knew my Volunteer Events program. I bought tix to the actual Opening Ceremony, gymnastics prelims and equestrian prelims. Randomly on a crowded train to the OC dress rehearsal, I bought Monday night swimming finals ticket at original games purchase price value off another volunteer who I was chatting to and who couldn’t go - so got to see Ian Thorpe and Michael Phelps win gold each. Stunning open air stadium atmosphere on a hot night. During my volunteering events, on very hot days as it was every day, meals and regular cold food and beverage refreshment were dropped-off to us by other volunteers on motorbikes and also we had access to a secure nearby rest and relaxation area with free food and drinks at the finish line of the Road Race and Time Trial races during breaks. Also was lucky to see up close Aussie Sarah Kerrigan win Gold in the Womens Road Race. The next day when the Italian won the Mens Road Race, a press pack locked me in against the barrier right next to the Gold Medallist as he spoke to them after the Medal Ceremony. I’ve never seen that interview to this day, as much as I’ve tried searching for it. I was one of only two volunteers allowed on the field of play at the Road Races start/finish line and was priveliged to work with the beautiful Telar (can’t recall her surname), a former Canadian Olympic cyclist and we had a ball. I paid for my return airfares from Perth, Western Australia to and from Greece and arrved six days before the Games. Accommodation we each paid for through a website where landlords could register if they wanted to offer their houses or apartments to accredited Games Volunteers for a modest rent sharing with other volunteers - which I duly did at Neas Smyrni square - inner suburban Athens. The landlords were a married couple who were both doctors and were amazing, cooking me a meal, glass of wine and sweets when I arrived exhausted from the airport and checking up on me regularly during the Games. I was alone (at first) but shared their unfurnished air conditioned 2-bedroon apartment with two Volunteer couples from Spain and China. Each day we got free public transport with our accreditation to our volunteer events but despite the very early shift start times, I bounced out of bed buzzing and excited - until I got home each night and barely had the strength to shower. 6 days before the Opening Cereminy, I arrived in Athens and in the apartment set-up camp with my own blow-up mattress on the bare loungeroom floor as the sole air con unit was in there. I also and rented a very small refrigerator, which I shared with the other volunteers and I also bought a small electric kettle with me from Singapore en route to Athens. I also rented a small tv which I barely used as no English channels broadcast locally during the Athens 2004 Games which was very odd I thought. I was comfortable enough camping on the floor in the unfurnished Athens apartment and we all got along. I always left the air con on all night so it could keep the bedrooms cool for the others who kept their doors open for relief from the heat. I actually had to sleep rugged up in full clothes inside my sleeping bag to stay warm as I was freezing cold otherwise with sole air con unit above me on full blast so it was cool enough to reach the other two rooms with volunteers. It was crazy hot outside so I always chuckled at how contradictory the situation was inside for me when sleeping and having to rug up in full clothes inside a sleeping bag to stay warm enough inside the freezing apartment night after night - but we made it work. One night I arrived home exhausted (but happy) to find a mess caused by the two Chinese volunteers had put instant noodles in the electric kettle to cook them. They apologised as they mistook the kettle for some sort of food cooking device. At one point I became sick and a Volunteer Medical Centre was set-up behind the Olympic Family Hotel (The Hilton) who took great care of me and had me back on my feet in a few days. During the Games, I met lots of other local and international Volunteers and officials and had a ball - it was magic. I also met my life partner, a tall Greek man from Athens who lives with me in Melbourne to this day. At the end if the Games, Volunteers were gifted a Games watch and some merchandise and got to keep our uniforms and bum bags. I applied to be a Volunteer at Beijing 2008 but never received back a result of my application, only the Application acknowkedgement email - that’s it. Undeterred, I applied again a few weeks later to be a Beijing 2008 Volunteer and again heard nothing back. Rude! For LA2028 and Brisbane 2032 Volunteering, I’m still thinking about it but my company as major sponsor of the Australian Olympic Team may run again an embedded Volunteer position in the Athletes Village working for the Austrlian Olympic Committee, like it was for Tokyo 2020 before the pandemic shut down that program down.

Transferred to:

@baron-pierreIV

❤ Volunteers at the Games The friendly, warm Volunteers at each Games play a major role in keeping things running smoothly, like a well oiled machine. What are your thoughts and experiences around Volunteering?

Athens 2004 Olympic Games Volunteer Team Leader A memorable amazing life-changing experience I was a Games Volunteer Team Leader at Athens 2004 Mens and Womens Triathlon, media access volunteer on the field of play at the start/finish of the Cycling Road Taces and Time Trial. I only speak English which actually oddly was a big help in being placed in prime positions. We were not paid but did receive tickets to the Opening Ceremony Dress Rehearsal (where a mentally unwell woman leapt from the rehearsal audience and attacked DJ Tiesto screaming “Devil music, Devil music” - security took a while to react but she was eventually subdued and dragged off screaming). As Volunteers we received full uniforms and accreditation. Apart from the Dress Rehearsal Of the Opening Ceremony, we didn’t receve tickets to any other events but I had already long purchased bought my own tickets to some events once I knew my Volunteer Events program. I bought tix to the actual Opening Ceremony, gymnastics prelims and equestrian prelims. Randomly on a crowded train to the OC dress rehearsal, I bought Monday night swimming finals ticket at original games purchase price value off another volunteer who I was chatting to and who couldn’t go - so got to see Ian Thorpe and Michael Phelps win gold each. Stunning open air stadium atmosphere on a hot night. During my volunteering events, on very hot days as it was every day, meals and regular cold food and beverage refreshment were dropped-off to us by guys on motorbikes and also we had access to a secure nearby rest and relaxation area with free food and drinks at the finish line of the Road Race and Time Trial races during breaks, Got to see Aussie Sarah Kerrigan win Gold in the Womens Road Race. The next day when the Italian won the Mens Road Race, a press pack locked me in against the barrier right next to the Gold Medallist as he spoke to them after the Medal Ceremony. I’ve never seen that interview to this day, as much as I’ve tried searching for it. I was one of only two volunteers allowed on the field of play at the Road Races start/finish line and was priveliged to work with the beautiful Telar (can’t recall her surname), a former Canadian Olympic cyclist and we had a ball. I paid for my return airfares from Perth, Western Australia to and from Greece and arrved 6 days before the Games. Accommodation we each paid for through a website where landlords could register if they wanted to offer their houses or apartments to accredited Games Volunteers for a modest rent sharing with other volunteers - which I duly did at Neas Smyrni square - inner suburban Athens. The landlords were a married couple who were both doctors and were amazing, cooking me a meal, glass of wine and sweets when I arrived exhausted from the airport and checking up on me regularly during the Games. I was alone (at first) but shared their unfurnished air conditioned 2-bedroon apartment with two Volunteer couples from Spain and China. Each day we got free public transport with our accreditation to our volunteer events but despite the very early shift start times, I bounced out of bed buzzing and excited - until I got home each night and barely had the strength to shower. 6 days before the Opening Cereminy, I arrived in Athens and in the apartment set-up camp with my own blow-up mattress on the bare loungeroom floor as the sole air con unit was in there. I also and rented a very small refrigerator, which I shared with the other volunteers and I also bought a small electric kettle with me from Singapore en route to Athens. I also rented a small tv which I barely used as no English channels broadcast locally during the Athens 2004 Games which was very odd I thought. I was comfortable enough camping on the floor in the unfurnished Athens apartment and we all got along. I always left the air con on all night so it could keep the bedrooms cool for the others who kept their doors open for relief from the heat. I actually had to sleep rugged up in full clothes inside my sleeping bag to stay warm as I was freezing cold otherwise with sole air con unit above me on full blast so it was cool enough to reach the other two rooms with volunteers. It was crazy hot outside so I always chuckled at how contradictory the situation was inside for me when sleeping and having to rug up in full clothes inside a sleeping bag to stay warm enough inside the freezing apartment night after night - but we made it work. One night I arrived home exhausted (but happy) to find a mess caused by the two Chinese volunteers had put instant noodles in the electric kettle to cook them. They apologised as they mistook the kettle for some sort of food cooking device. At one point I became sick and a Volunteer Medical Centre was set-up behind the Olympic Family Hotel (The Hilton) who took great care of me and had me back on my feet in a few days. During the Games, I met lots of other local and international Volunteers and officials and had a ball - it was magic. I also met my life partner, a tall Greek man from Athens who lives with me in Melbourne to this day. At the end if the Games Volunteers were gifted a Games watch and some merchandise and got to keep our uniforms and bum bags. I applied to be a Volunteer at Beijing 2008 but never received back a result of my application, only the Application acknowkedgement email - that’s it. Undeterred, I applied again a few weeks later to be a Beijing 2008 Volunteer and again heard nothing back. Rude! For Brisbane 2032 Volunteering, I’m still thinking about