Tag: gold medals

Jordan Hill describes his connection with his horse as “like father and son”.

When he’s riding “Spidey”, any stress and frustration fades away, leaving the equestrian rider with a grin from ear to ear.

It’s a similar smile to the one Jordan gets when he describes his excitement at the idea of the Special Olympics World Games — described as the world’s largest inclusive sporting event — coming to Australia in 2027.

“I really, really want it to come here because I really want to compete … [in front of] all my friends and my family and my girlfriend as well,” he said.

Perth had been in the box seat to host the games, winning the early approval of international organisers to bring together thousands of athletes from across Australia and the world.

But those hopes now hang in the balance with growing uncertainty about whether the games will get the government support they need to go ahead.

Time running out on host bid

Organisers had been hoping for around $95 million of government funding, with $45 million from the federal government and $25 million each from state and local governments.

It was also proposed that the state government would cover the costs of allowing the event to be held at state-owned venues like Perth Stadium, without the need to build any new infrastructure.

“That has been agreed at various points in time, and certainly the deputy premier at the time, now Premier [Roger Cook] has been supportive of that,” organising committee chair Tanya Brown said.

But so far, no level of government has committed to funding the games, also leaving potential partnerships with dozens of companies in doubt.

Special Olympics’ governing body needs funding agreements to be resolved before the end of the month, or Australia could miss out.

Ms Brown says with other cities already lining up to host the games, 2027 is Australia’s only opportunity in the foreseeable future.

Jordan said he would be “a bit devastated” if that’s what happened.

WA government priorities elsewhere

Australia losing its chance has become more likely in recent days, with Mr Cook ruling out spending any government funds on the event at a press conference announcing Perth would host a series of Rugby 7’s games.

“In 23/24 we will spend $1.3 billion on disability services for Western Australians and that’s our focus,” he said.

“Particularly as we’re starting to bed down the NDIS and as part of the review we think it’s important to focus upon disability services rather than these large celebrations.

A state government spokesperson said there were also “questions” about the event’s price tag.

But Ms Brown said the NDIS was a completely separate issue.

“There’s no assurance of where that money lands and there’s no commitment to people with intellectual disability,” she said.

“NDIS doesn’t really have anything to do with Special Olympics.

“Special Olympics is about ending discrimination against people with intellectual disability.”

Funding limbo

At the same press conference, Mr Cook said both the federal government and the City of Perth had also declined to fund the event.

But Ms Brown later told ABC Radio Perth she was yet to have formal responses from any level of government, including the state.

A Commonwealth spokesperson only said the government was “aware of Special Olympics Australia’s interest” in bidding for the Perth Games.

“The government considers proposals for support to host major sporting events in Australia as part of budget processes,” they said.

“The government remains committed to delivering a green and gold decade of major sporting events that will create significant socio-economic benefits for all Australians.”

City of Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas said it was disappointing the event might not go ahead, but that any funding from the city would need to go through council processes.

“These big events are always incumbent on receiving state and federal government funding,” he said.

“But would the City of Perth [have] considered a financial contribution to the levels which our ratepayers could support? Absolutely, because it’s such a good event that would have brought so many people to Perth.”

A return on investment

The most recent World Games, held earlier this year in Berlin, attracted around 7,000 athletes and 23,000 supporters and coaches from 190 countries, according to Special Olympics.

Plans for Australia’s version estimated it could bring in as many as 19,350 international visitors, and another 7,650 from interstate.

Analysis of the plans prepared by EY in late 2021 estimated the cost of the event at $136 million but projected it would result in $212 million of economic benefits – or a return of $1.56 for every dollar spent.

That included $86 million of tourism spend before, during and after the event, as well as an estimated $40 million benefit to the health system by avoiding “inactivity of previously inactive participants and inspired spectators” over a 10-year period.