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Brisbane bid falls flat for Coates

Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates is under fire for raising a possible Brisbane bid during his election campaign against Danni Roche.

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Source: AAP


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John Coates' lone gunslinger style is under a spotlight again after he shot from the hip about a Queensland Olympic bid.

Australian Olympic Committee president Coates has put the nation's next bid back on the agenda - without telling anyone he was going to do it.

"We have authorised Brisbane and six supporting cities to do a feasibility study," he told ABC television on Thursday night.

"I have got the experience and what I want to do, whether it's 2028 or 2032 is to champion that, both in Australia and internationally."

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Friday there have not been discussions with the AOC or the federal government about a bid.

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And Coates rival for the AOC presidency, Danni Roche, says his comments highlight his autocratic style.

"I would work in a more collaborative manner. And I certainly wouldn't be making a unilateral decision about the Olympic Games," Roche told reporters on Friday.

Coates' remarks are traced to south-east Queensland region councils approving a feasibility study into a potential Olympic bid.

The AOC last September offered its in-principle support but won't help fund the $2.5m study, slated for completion within 18 months.

Roche, a 1996 Olympic hockey gold medallist, said she would welcome any bid, if it had government backing.

"I would work collaboratively with the governments if that was their interest, both federal and state. And also I wouldn't be making unilateral decisions," she said.

No decision on a bid is required until early 2019 when the IOC requires an expression of interest for the 2028 Games.


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