Queensland goes LIVE for Paralympic celebrations

• LIVE site activations are back for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games
• Queenslanders will be cheering on the Green and Gold at nine sites across the state
• South Bank in Brisbane will be LIVE throughout the Paralympics, starting from Thursday 29 August to Sunday 8 September (AEST)

Queensland’s LIVE sites are back for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games with Queenslanders getting ready to cheer on our Aussie para-athletes.

LIVE sites were hugely successful during the Olympics in bringing together communities to back the Green and Gold with more than 65,000 participants across nine locations.

They cheered on Queensland athletes who won a total of 28 medals, including nine gold, from a record gold medal haul of 18 and a total medal tally of 53 for Team Australia.

Crowds celebrated amazing Aussie performances like swimmer Mollie O’Callaghan’s three golds, our first female pole vault champion Nina Kennedy, youngest gold medal winner, skateboarder Arisa Trew and the successful defence of Olympic titles by Matt Wearn in sailing, paddler Jess Fox, skateboarder Keegan Palmer and swimmers Kaylee McKeown and Ariarne Titmus.

The sites are coming back so Queenslanders can cheer on the 160 Aussie para-athletes, including 45 from our state, who will be among around 4400 athletes from 184 nations competing at the first Paralympics to be held in Paris.

LIVE Sites will showcase our athletic talent in Paris on the big screen at South Bank, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Hervey Bay, Rockhampton, Longreach, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns.

There will be a new CBD location for the Cairns LIVE site, the popular Esplanade Western Event Lawn and a new location in Townsville, on the iconic Strand.

The LIVE sites will feature Nine Network big-screen Games broadcasts as well as special events backing local athletes and inspiring future athletes, including those who may compete in our home Games in 2032.

The nine LIVE sites are supported by the Queensland Government and local councils.

Quotes attributable to Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace: 

“Our LIVE sites are ready to go for the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

“We gave the love to our record-breaking Olympians and now it’s time to get back out there and cheer for our amazing Paralympic athletes as they go for gold.

“As future hosts, Queenslanders have a special pride in celebrating the Games and knowing the exciting events on the big screen will be right here in eight years’ time.”

Quotes attributable to Games Venue and Legacy Delivery Authority Interim CEO Emma Thomas:

“Queensland support for our Aussie athletes shows how much their incredible stories influence us all.

“By returning to our local community LIVE sites we’ll be supporting our strong and competitive athletes, our Paralympians.

“Their performances will give us some powerful insights into how sport enlivens people and places and how exciting it is to be creating our own Games legacy for Queensland.”

Quotes attributable to Paralympics Australia Interim CEO Cameron Murray: 

“I congratulate the Queensland Government on its commitment to supporting Paralympics LIVE across Queensland.

“The Australian Paralympic Team has strong representation from across the State and LIVE site events are a great way for communities to come together and watch their Paralympic heroes.

“With Brisbane 2032 on the horizon, I have no doubt we’ll have children in the crowd who will go on to represent Queensland and Australia at the Paralympic Games in the future.”

Quotes attributable to Australian Paralympic Team co-captain Curtis McGrath:

“It’s fantastic to know that our friends, families and fans will have the opportunity to cheer on the Australian Paralympic Team at Paralympics LIVE events around Queensland.

“I encourage everyone to get out to a Paralympics LIVE event or host a watch party to support our team as we compete in Paris.”

Further information:

More details on the LIVE sites and other community activities are available here

Images and video available at the Asset Hub

Queensland Government LIVE site locations

• Brisbane – South Bank, Thursday 29 August to Sunday 8 September
• Gold Coast – Great Lawn, Broadwater Parklands, Saturday 7 September to Sunday 8 September
• Sunshine Coast – The University’s Sports Arena, Sippy Downs, Thursday 29 August
• Hervey Bay – Pier Park, Urangan, Friday 30 August to Saturday 31 August
• Rockhampton – Bravus Arena, Friday 30 August
• Longreach – Edkins Park, Friday 30 August to Saturday 31 August
• Mackay – Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens, Saturday 31 August to Sunday
  1 September, part of the BMA River 2 Reef Ride Festival
• Townsville – The Strand, Friday 30 August to Sunday 1 September
• Cairns – Esplanade Western Event Lawn, Saturday 31 August to Sunday
  1 September.

Other sites joining in to cheer on our Paralympians as they go for gold:

• Airlie Beach – Airlie Beach foreshore, Saturday 31 August
• Ipswich – Tulmur Place in the Nicholas Street Precinct, Thursday 29 August to Sunday 8 September

ENDS

Media contact – Martin Philip 0407 675 008