'This is disgusting': AOC boss' 'humiliating' smackdown for QLD Premier
Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) president John Coates has been lambasted for a 'patronising' moment on stage when addressing Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in Tokyo.
The Queensland premier was in Tokyo for the announcement Brisbane's had officially won the bid to host the 2032 Olympic Games.
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Australia celebrated after Brisbane was officially awarded the 2032 Games, which will see the nation host thee Olympics for the third time.
But, overnight, there was an awkward exchange between AOC boss Coates and Palaszczuk when on stage at the announcement in Tokyo.
The rising number of Covid-19 cases in Tokyo have become the talking point leading up to the opening ceremony, considering the Games were already postponed last year because of the pandemic.
Major sponsor Toyota, Japan's largest car manufacturer, announced no officials from the company will attend the opening ceremony.
Officials from different countries at the Games are weighing-up their attendance on Friday.
Palaszczuk had recently claimed she wouldn't attend and was only over in Tokyo as a representative for Brisbane's bid.
However, in an awkward moment, Coates appeared to demand Palaszczuk's attendance at the opening ceremony.
Despite Coates' insistence, Palaszczuk did not budge and remained tight-lipped on her appearance.
"You are going to the opening ceremony," Coates said.
"I am still the deputy chair...as far as I understand, there will be an opening and closing ceremony in 2032, and all of you are going to get along there and understand the traditional parts of that and what's involved.
"None of you are staying behind hiding in your rooms."
Palaszczuk, clearly taken aback, said: "I don't want to offend anybody."
Australia slams John Coates over 'patronising' moment
Some of Australia's top media figures came out to slam Coates' demeanour as 'patronising' in a moment that was being broadcasted to the world.
What a condescending, patronising man. How dare he tick off the Premier of Qld publicly as if she was a naughty schoolgirl? Takes me back to some similar moments in my own career. Too many men in power need to take a really hard look at themselves. https://t.co/hi9Yxs0QyB
— Jane Caro (@JaneCaro) July 21, 2021
This is disgusting. And yet another example of how women are treated in sport. https://t.co/g4BtupvKpD
— Leigh Russell (@leighmrussell) July 21, 2021
This is a diamond-perfect instance of a man who believes his own job and priorities and worldview are universal and another person's failure to adopt them unquestioningly is evidence of stupidity or incomprehension on her part. Amazing to see it performed so publicly. https://t.co/MSyBNsfnSD
— Annabel Crabb (@annabelcrabb) July 21, 2021
Can you imagine John Coates talking to a male Premier this way? It's beyond belligerent. https://t.co/aOraORwzUr
— Shalailah Medhora (@shalailah) July 21, 2021
Top of the medal tally in misogyny 🇦🇺. https://t.co/0cyobLNjJR
— Craig Foster (@Craig_Foster) July 21, 2021
It remains to be seen if Palaszczuk does decide to attend the opening ceremony.
The Brisbane bid, encompassing south-east Queensland, was ratified by a vote of 87 IOC members at a meeting in Tokyo before the opening of the Games on Friday.
The Brisbane 2032 delegation, including Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, made a formal final presentation to the IOC meeting.
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