More than 500 people gathered in Brisbane today to contribute ideas that will provide a legacy for Queensland and Australia for generations to come.

AOC President Ian Chesterman says the message from the forum is that an active and healthy Australia through sports participation is one of the greatest legacies the Olympic and Paralympic Games can deliver.

“Sport is about people - it has the power to inspire and influence people, and we must use this opportunity to create better outcomes for the people of Queensland and the people of Australia.

“The sports system needs to be nurtured. And a successful sports system can provide so many benefits. It can drive better health outcomes – less obesity, less diabetes and other diseases – better mental health, and promote healthier and more active lifestyles,” he said.

The opportunity for sport to deliver these outcomes is a message that also flowed from the recently released Hopes and Dreams survey, which saw more than 12,000 people contribute their ideas ahead of today’s forum. Providing access to sport was one of the key themes from the survey.

Ideas submitted included sport and physical activity, the environment, infrastructure, First Nations people and culture, transport, health and wellbeing, community connections, jobs and the economy, innovation and technology, diversity, equality and inclusion.

Mr Chesterman told today’s forum that sport can inspire Australians in a way that’s unique.

“When Cathy Freeman won the 400 metres at Sydney 2000, nine million Australians watched that final on TV and 112,000 people were in the stadium that night who could say  “I was there”. It made people believe in what is possible.

“Cathy’s efforts inspired future stars like Patty Mills, Sally Fitzgibbons, Ash Barty and Kyah Simon. Those athletes are in turn, inspiring the next generation.

“It can build stronger communities with a greater sense of engagement and pride.”

Mr Chesterman’s words were echoed by three-time Olympian and Olympic champion Susie O’Neill who told the forum that the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games will encourage Australians to get moving.

“We are meant to move. For me, that’s one of the great benefits of being involved in sport, as well as developing life-long connections and friendships. Sport gave me that confidence. I would like to see an active Australia as one of the great legacies of these Games.”

The Legacy Forum will contribute to a Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Legacy Plan to be submitted to the International Olympic Committee later this year.