Olympians and Paralympians plead with premier to reconsider Brisbane 2032 plan

“While we understand that you want to get the best value for taxpayers out of the Games, we do not believe that the QSAC site represents that,” an excerpt from the letter reads.

“And frankly, a main stadium with a capacity of only 40,000 would be an embarrassment.”

Paralympic swimmer Karni Liddell said the government had lost sight of the Games’ legacy and claimed Paralympians had been left out of the conversation completely.

“When it comes to QSAC, Suncorp Stadium or Woolloongabba, whatever stadium it is, I think we should be talking about those places, as places we can all access for events for other sport,” she said.

But the premier has knocked back the plea and maintained his decision was firm.

“I can’t justify spending billions more on stadiums, no matter how many swimmers ask me to,” he told reporters at a press conference.

He instead called on the athletes to look at what the current plan will deliver.

“For the first time in a long time it delivers an athletics legacy to a host city,” he said.