Backing the Aussies from the heart of Cairns

Watch the Aussies go for gold this weekend on the big screen in the heart of the city as the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games get underway.

Together with the Queensland Government, Council is hosting Olympics and Paralympics LIVE.

Watch Nine’s live coverage on the big screen presentations in Shields Street, between Abbott and Lake streets, in the heart of the CBD on Saturday from 10am to 11.30pm, and Sunday from 10am to 6pm.

There is no need to register or book, the event is free for everyone to attend.

The Shields Street site will also feature activation, including Cairns Taipans players will be hosting a "have a go" at basketball session at the LIVE site on Saturday from 2pm to 4pm.

Stick around and watch the live action on Saturday night as the Aussie men's basketball side open their Olympics campaign against Spain from 7pm, which will be followed by the Australian men's hockey team taking on Argentina from 9.15pm.

Cairns Mayor Amy Eden encouraged residents to don the green and gold and support the Australian Olympic team.

“Put on your green and gold, bring a picnic blanket, snacks, and your loudest cheers, and let's make Shields Street come alive with Aussie pride.

“There is no doubt that we love our sport in Cairns and there is something amazing about getting together in a group to share the ups and downs, the elation of victory, the disappointment of missing out, the passion of being part of a global sporting event.

“Whether you are with friends or strangers, when a group of people gathers to watch live sport, especially in a public place, the atmosphere surges and passions intensify.

“As a tourism hotspot, it’ll also be great to see our international visitors barracking for their national heroes get to the top of the podium – it’s part of what makes our city great.”

Tourism and Sport Minister and Member for Cairns Michael Healy said the Far North community loved its sport and being able to gather like this and get behind Australia is a fantastic way to share that passion.

“The LIVE sites across the state will play an important role in harnessing that shared excitement of the Olympics to encourage more Queenslanders to be more active, more often,” he said.

“These sites like the one in Cairns, will be some of the best places, outside Paris itself, for Queenslanders to watch our homegrown athletes take on the world and inspire local hopefuls who dream of wearing the green and gold in Brisbane in 2032.”

Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace said Queenslanders right across the state are getting together to celebrate the inspirational sporting performances of our Aussie athletes.

“LIVE sites will be the next-best thing to being in Paris,” she said.

“Make sure you don the green and gold and send up the chant of ‘Aussie Aussie Aussie!’ at a LIVE site to help our athletes bring home gold.”

More information on the Live site is available at Q2032.au.