Countdown for when the Olympics come to Birkdale
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The countdown is on – nine years to go until the Redland Whitewater Centre at Birkdale Community Precinct will host the Canoe Slalom events during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the Olympic Rings and the Paralympic Agitos were unveiled in Queensland on the weekend to mark the nine-year countdown to the Games.
“This is the first time these symbols have appeared together in Australia since Sydney hosted the Olympics in 2000,” she said.
Cr Williams said in recognition of the countdown, the Cleveland Point Lighthouse will be lit in the Olympic colours until 8 August – mirroring the Brisbane 2032 Games that will run from 23 July to 8 August, 2032.
The only night the lighthouse will not be in Olympic colours will be tonight, 25 July, in support of World Drowning Prevention Day.
“This significant global day was launched by the United Nations in 2021 and has direct relevance to the legacy benefits of the Redland Whitewater Centre,” Cr Williams said.
“With the swift water aspects of the channels, it will be able to be used for swimming lessons about how to survive dangerous water situations, including ocean rips.
“The centre will also be home to an emergency services and swift-water rescue training program.
“Basing this sort of training at the Redlands Coast venue will not only deliver important emergency services capabilities, it will also provide ongoing economic benefits.
“Council is committed to the whitewater venue delivering a lasting legacy for our community, which is why we have been building strategic partnerships to ensure it can also be used for emergency services training.
“We will also be speaking with national and international emergency services agencies about potential training partnerships, offering economic and tourism opportunities.”
Redland City Council is working alongside the Queensland Government and Australian Government on the delivery of this facility under the Brisbane 2032 Intergovernmental Agreement.