Come July 2021, Brisbane might be celebrating the win of hosting rights for the 2032 Olympics. As the city was already been chosen as a preferred bidder by the International Olympic Council (IOC) in February, the Australian authorities are planning for a rebuild worth a Billion Australian dollars (USD777 million) for the iconic cricket stadium, The Gabba.
Situated in the Brisbane suburb of Woolloongabba, this Queensland stadium is the biggest in the state. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said that the stadium would most likely see the capacity of the stadium boosted from 42,000 to 50,000 as part of a renovation to cost.
Saying that every game needs a home, Palaszczuk went on to add, "The Gabba has been home to our sport since 1895. A home for the 2032 Olympic Games could be its crowning glory."
The plans of refurbishing include connecting the stadium to a new railway station under construction via a pedestrian plaza.
"The Gabba is one of the most important, iconic and historic cricket grounds in Australia and we are delighted that the Queensland Government has agreed to a major redevelopment should Brisbane win the right to host the 2032 Olympic Games," Nick Hockley, the interim CEO of Cricket Australia, said.
The Gabba was the talk of the town in India as it was there that the Indian team defeated Australia for the first time in more than 30 years to win the Test series 3-1 with a second-string team. The ground is also most likely to host the first game of the upcoming Ashes.
The 2020 Olympics, which has been deferred to July this year will take place in Japan. While the 2024 Games would take place in Paris, France, the 2028 Olympics, where Cricket might feature would be held in Los Angeles US.