‘Gobsmacked’: Brisbane 2032 boss’ huge claim as leaked emblems celebrated
There was little mention of the accidental early release of the Brisbane 2032 emblems as hundreds gathered by the river for a celebration of the reveal on Monday night.
But as Brisbane 2032 president Andrew Liveris trumpeted the cockatoo-inspired designs in a lively one-hour ceremony in the South Bank precinct, he claimed the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and International Paralympic Committee (IPC) were “gobsmacked” when they saw the emblems and told him they’d “never seen anything like it”.
The reveal of the Brisbane 2032 emblems was celebrated on Monday night. Chris Hyde/Getty Images
Initially, the emblems were being revealed piece-by-piece on an intriguing tour down the coast of Queensland, building up to a grand reveal in Brisbane on Monday night.
And while that plan went awry when the emblems were accidentally posted publicly on the official Brisbane 2032 YouTube channel on Friday night, spirits were high at Monday night’s launch.
“I had the privilege of presenting both of these emblems to the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee for final approval not long ago,” Liveris announced to a crowd of several hundred.
“I can tell you they were gobsmacked, excited, endorsed it on the spot.
“They’ve never seen anything like it. And get used to that phrase: ‘Never seen anything like it’.”
The ceremony was hosted by swimming legend Libby Trickett, and the four-time Olympic gold medallist interviewed a panel of guests featuring current and former athletes.
Golf icon and proud Queenslander Greg Norman was on the panel, as were sprint great Patrick Johnson, Olympic gold medal-winning skateboarder Arisa Trew, and Paralympians Lakeisha Patterson and Taymon Kenton-Smith.
Australia’s fastest man, Brisbane speed demon Lachlan Kennedy, was in the crowd.
“The design focus set was to bring together sport, and our absolute addiction to sport, our unique natural environment and our quintessential Queensland personality as one,” Liveris said.
“No easy task.
The Brisbane 2032 emblems. Brisbane 2032
“We are all delighted by the result: the embodiment of a living flame within the crest of a cheeky cockatoo. A nod and a wink, if you like, to our personality known the world over, combining sport with nature, two of our nation’s biggest attributes.
“The state of Queensland outlined within the cockatoo’s crest, reminding the world of the place to be in 2032, with communities to host from Cairns to Coolangatta and beyond.
“The rich colour of both palettes, of both emblems, capturing the vibrancy and positivity of Brisbane, Queensland, and Australia, and the natural boldness and energy we bring every single day.”
In an interview with 9News Queensland that aired on Monday night, Liveris was quizzed on the YouTube blunder.
“I don’t want to acknowledge it as a stuff-up,” he said.
“I do want to acknowledge that along the way, these processes we put in place, there are people behind them. Masses of people.
“In this particular case, I called them and I said, ‘Let’s move on’.”
Monday night’s celebration. Chris Hyde/Getty Images
Kennedy, who at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games this year clocked a blistering 9.85 seconds to claim silver in the men’s 100 metres, gave the emblems a big tick of approval.
“I love it, personally,” the 22-year-old told nine.com.au.
“I think it represents Brisbane well, I think it’s unique, I think it’s got soul to it.
“It’s the cockatoo. It also kind of looks like the shape of Queensland.
“It’s sick. I really like it. I think it’s been received well, as it should.
“I think they’ve done a killer job with it.”
