Brisbane:A pink cockatoo has been selected as the official emblem for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brisbane, following an accidental leak on social media. This emblem was chosen over other Australian symbols like the kangaroo, koala, and bin chicken.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the emblem was officially launched on Monday after organizers addressed the premature release of the design with an emergency news conference. The emblem's design includes a crest depicting a pink cockatoo, an Australian bird, with colors that evoke the Olympic and Paralympic flame, and a shape that represents Queensland, the host state.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner stated that the emblems celebrate the city and its lifestyle, reflecting the vibrant, resilient, connected, friendly, playful, and slightly cheeky nature of Brisbane. Organizers emphasized that the designs incorporate First Nations elements, as cockatoos are seen as messengers with cultural significance, connecting people with places, stories, and ceremonies.
The emblems will not serve as the official Games mascot, which will be announced closer to the event. The designs were accidentally revealed on Friday night when an explanatory video briefly appeared on the Brisbane 2032 YouTube channel, leading to screenshots being widely shared on social media.
Brisbane 2032 vice president Tim Mander and Chief Marketing Officer Brent Hill noted that the leak unexpectedly generated significant publicity. Brisbane 2032 Chairman Andrew Liveris expressed that the emblems would help showcase the region's unique character and attract global attention for the Games.
Australian sprinter Lachlan Kennedy, present at the launch, praised the design for representing Brisbane well and said it had "soul." Mikaela Cojuangco Jaworski, chair of the IOC coordination commission for the 2032 Games, described the emblems as a "vibrant expression" of the region.
Brisbane will host the Games along with venues in the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, marking Australia's third time hosting the Summer Olympics, following Melbourne in 1956 and Sydney in 2000.