Victoria Not Involved with Australian Olympic Bid

(ATR) The Premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews,says the Australian state has no plans to join a multi-city bid for the Olympics in the coming years.

"We are not planning to be part of an Olympic bid," Andrews told reporters on Sunday.

A proposal for a joint bid from New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria was run by Justin Madden,former minister of the 2006 Commonwealth Games, last week.

In an op ed for Australia's daily The Age, Madden said a multi-city bid for either the 2028 or 2032 Gameswould fast-track infrastructure projects and increase economic activity in the country.

Andrews, however, said Victoria has to prioritize its current projects before taking on an event like the Olympics.

"I think Justin Madden should be very proud of the work he did as the minister that delivered the most successful Commonwealth Games we have ever seen.

"This is an idea among many. We have many more important projects, ones we took to the election last year."

Andrews made his comments after announcing an $80 million increase in funding for major events in Victoria.

The Age reports that Andrews previewed many costs under consideration by the state government, but "a joint Olympic bid was not among them."

Brisbane and Melbourne are the only Australian cities considering a bid for the 2028 Summer Olympics so far.

2023 FIFA Women's World Cup

While the country's Olympics aspirations remain indefinite for the time being,Australia is confirming plans to bid for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

The South Pacific country hosted and won the men's Asian Cup in January, restoring a little faith in the sport after Australia's costly and failed bid for the 2022 FIFA Men's World Cup.

Football Federation Australia (FFA) chief David Gallop tells Reuters football's best years are ahead in the country.

"We know that growth will inevitably bring greater revenues and new incomes streams, enough to fund the future," Gallop said in a statement.

Furthermore, Gallop says a FIFA World Cup bid would propel "women's participation and professionalism."

The bid is part of the FFA's plan tobuild a base of one million club members from a population tipped to rise to 30 million over the next 20 years, according to Reuters.

"The more immediate need for me is talent ID," Australia coach Ange Postecoglou said.

"The reality is that they're out there anyway--we just don't know them."

Brazil, Japan and South Korea have also indicated an interest in bidding for the 2023 event.

Written byNicole Bennett

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