AOC boss hits back after 'disgusting' moment sparks furore
Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates has not apologised after a widely criticised exchange with Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in Tokyo overnight.
Coates was accused of 'humiliating' the premier on an international stage after demanding she attend the Opening Ceremony for the Tokyo Games, after Brisbane secured the rights to host the event in 2032.
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Already under scrutiny for travelling to Tokyo amid a series of coronavirus outbreaks back in Australia, Palaszczuk remained non-committal despite Coates insisting she attend.
"You are going to the opening ceremony," Coates said during a press conference following Brisbane's successful bid.
"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."
Coates was widely criticised on social media for his attitude towards Palaszczuk, which was described as 'condescending', 'patronising', and 'disgusting'.
Palaszczuk, who was clearly taken aback by Coates' words, simply said: "I don't want to offend anybody."
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
Amid the criticism of his attitude on Thursday, Coates issued a further statement in the afternoon, saying his comments had been 'misinterpreted' - however he did not explain how they had been misinterpreted.
Coates said attending the opening ceremony had always been a decision for the Premier to make.
"My comments regarding the Premier and the Opening Ceremony have been completely misinterpreted by people who weren't in the room," his statement read.
"Absolutely I believe the Premier should come to the Opening Ceremony and she has accepted.
"I am thrilled about that. Attending the Opening Ceremony has always been her choice."
🇦🇺 Olympic supremo John Coates statement on his comments to @AnnastaciaMP about the @Tokyo2020 opening ceremony pic.twitter.com/jxNSUv5Zax
— Daniel Sutton (@danielsutton10) July 22, 2021
Brisbane wins bid to host 2032 Olympic Games
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.
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 Palaszczuk, made a formal final presentation to the IOC meeting.
“It’s a historic day not just for Brisbane and Queensland, but for the entire country,” Mr Morrison said.
“Only global cities can secure the Olympic Games – so this is fitting recognition for Brisbane’s standing across our region and the world.
“It also marks an important leap forward for Australia as we look toward major events that lock in economic growth and social benefits that will echo for years to come.
“We know the impact on Sydney more than two decades ago was transformative. We can now expect a repeat for Brisbane and communities across Queensland.
“It’s a proud day for Queenslanders and Australians everywhere.”
With agencies
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