What’s Happening?
The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Emblems have been fully revealed following a series of events across Queensland.
At the centre of both designs is an Australian cockatoo, chosen to reflect the character of Queensland and Australia. The Olympic Emblem features a Pink Cockatoo, while the Paralympic Emblem uses a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo.
Although the birds and colour palettes differ, both designs share the same identity. They combine Queensland’s shape, the Games flame and references to the year 2032.
The Emblems were created by a local and global creative agency consortium under Brisbane 2032’s oversight. They were also tested in Australia and overseas before their public release.
Why It Matters
The Emblems will become a major part of how Brisbane 2032 is represented across Australia and internationally. Their design brings Australia’s wildlife together with Queensland’s geography and Olympic and Paralympic imagery. Pasted markdown
Brisbane 2032 President Andrew Liveris said the Emblems were intended to give the Games a distinct identity while introducing the host region to a global audience.
“Olympic and Paralympic Games Emblems are an opportunity to promote the unique character of a Games, inviting the world to learn more, visit, invest and be part of an event unlike any other,” Mr Liveris said.
He said the final designs bring several elements together rather than relying on one symbol.
“In the case of Brisbane 2032’s Emblems, multiple elements have been subtly woven together to encapsulate the uniqueness of our home and environment and the global appeal and symbol of the Games. The reveal has been a proud and significant moment in our Games journey, as our Emblems help focus the eyes of the world on Brisbane, Queensland and Australia – and the incredible nature and wildlife, mixed with warm and welcoming character, that will be on full display in just under six years’ time.”
The final designs followed consultation with local and international communities, along with market research and testing.
“We canvassed a wide cross-section of local and international communities ahead of the reveal, as well as conducting extensive market research, testing elements and ensuring there was a high degree of likeability, distinctiveness and memorability,” Mr Liveris said.
He said that process produced strong support for the final identity.
“Pleasingly, there was overwhelming positivity towards our thinking and I look forward to promoting our Emblems far and wide as we continue towards 2032.”
Local Impact
Queensland is built directly into the Emblems, with the outline of the state forming part of the cockatoo’s crest.
The cockatoo’s eye is centred on South-East Queensland, while the wider form points towards communities across the state. The design also reflects Queensland from Cape York to Coolangatta and further west. Pasted markdown
Minister for Racing, Sport and the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said this connection gives Queenslanders their own symbol for 2032.
“These Emblems will become enduring symbols of our Games, representing Queensland to the world and giving Queenslanders something to connect with and be proud of for generations to come,” Mr Mander said.
He pointed to the Queensland outline as one of the strongest links between the Games identity and the host state.
“We now have another piece of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games story in place, with Emblems that Queenslanders can rally behind and that embodies our state with its outline visible in the cockatoo’s crest. From Coolangatta to Cairns we’re getting on with delivering a Games for all of Queensland.”
Mr Mander said the Games also provide a chance to promote the state internationally while creating benefits beyond 2032.
“The Games are our chance to put Queensland on the world stage, while creating a lasting legacy that Queenslanders enjoy for decades to come.” Pasted markdown
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner linked the designs more closely with the Host City and its character.
“The Brisbane 2032 Emblems are a celebration of our city, our lifestyle and the once-in-a-generation opportunity we have as Host City,” Cr Schrinner said.
He said the cockatoo’s personality also reflects how Brisbane wants to present itself during the Games.
“They reflect the Brisbane people know and love: vibrant, resilient, connected, friendly, playful and a little bit cheeky. They are also a symbol of the excitement building across our city as we get ready for Brisbane’s biggest global moment.”
For Brisbane residents, Cr Schrinner said the goal was for the Games to deliver benefits before and after the event itself.
“With just under six years to go, we are already preparing to welcome the world to Australia’s lifestyle capital. We want residents to feel the benefits well before the opening ceremony and long after the torch is passed.”
By The Numbers
- Six individual pieces formed the complete Brisbane 2032 Emblems, with sections revealed progressively across Queensland during the past week.
- Five Queensland locations hosted reveal events, spanning Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast.
- Three feathers and two feathers appear within the cockatoo’s crest, creating a subtle reference to the Games year of 2032. Pasted markdown
Zoom In
Much of the meaning sits within the smaller details of the Emblems.
The cockatoo was selected because it is widely recognised across Australia and known for its cheeky, inquisitive and playful nature. Brisbane 2032 also links those traits with Queensland’s optimistic and welcoming character.
The Pink Cockatoo represents the Olympic Games, while the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo represents the Paralympic Games.
The cockatoo’s crest has been shaped as a living torch, referencing the Olympic and Paralympic flames. The flame represents unity, hope and inspiration across both movements.
Within the same crest sits the outline of Queensland. Three feathers alongside two feathers also form a subtle reference to ’32. Pasted markdown
First Nations meaning is another part of the design. Cockatoos have a strong connection to Country and are seen as messengers linked with place, story and ceremony.
Brisbane 2032 will also be Australia’s first Games Edition to feature closely aligned Olympic and Paralympic Emblems. Both retain separate birds and colour palettes while sharing the same wider identity.
The Emblems remain separate from the Games mascot or mascots, which will be revealed closer to Games time. Pasted markdown
The six pieces were introduced through events across Queensland involving Olympians, Paralympians and sporting figures.
- Australian Olympian Ian Thorpe AM and Queensland Paralympian Grant ‘Scooter’ Patterson revealed Piece One at Vlasoff Cay on the Great Barrier Reef near Cairns.
- Johnathan Thurston AM and Sam Thaiday followed with Piece Two at Castle Hill lookout in Townsville.
- Piece Three was revealed at Rockhampton’s Riverside Precinct by Queensland Olympian Anna Meares OAM and Australian Paralympian Angie Ballard.
- Queensland Olympian Natalie Cook OAM and Queensland Paralympian Alexa Leary OAM then revealed Piece Four at Wild Horse Mountain lookout on the Sunshine Coast.
- Queensland Olympian Arisa Trew OAM and Australian Paralympian Curtis McGrath OAM completed the reveal with Pieces Five and Six at Currumbin Beach on the Gold Coast. Pasted markdown
Zoom Out
Support for the Emblems has also come from senior Olympic and Paralympic officials, who linked the identity with Australia’s wider Games history.
IOC Coordination Commission Chair Mikaela Cojunangco-Jaworski said Brisbane and Queensland were joining Melbourne and Sydney as Australian Olympic hosts.
“With this Emblem, Brisbane and Queensland take their place in a historic line of Olympic identities stretching back over a century, representing Australia on the global stage for the third time, with Melbourne in 1956 and Sydney in 2000.”
She said the design would also become part of how Brisbane 2032 is presented internationally.
“This vibrant expression of these Games is one that will travel the world, telling the story of Brisbane 2032.It is also a symbol of excitement and ambition that a generation of young athletes and fans will now grow up with over the next six years.”
Cojunangco-Jaworski said the combination of local character and Olympic imagery made the design suited to the Games.
“Bringing together the nature and character of the country, this region and its people with iconic Olympic imagery, this Emblem could not be better suited to carry these Games forward.”
International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons also focused on the details worked into the designs.
“What I really love about the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic emblems is that each time you look at them you notice something different, small details that carry special meaning.”
For Parsons, the Paralympic cockatoo captured the energy organisers want associated with the event.
“The first time I saw the Paralympic emblem it put a really big smile on my face. The cockatoo is such a happy, fun, and colourful creature; it transforms any environment it is in, bringing great joy. This is exactly what the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games will do. They will bring great emotion to everyone involved and have a transformational impact on society.”
He also pointed to the amount of consultation and testing behind the two identities.
“Brisbane 2032 deserve immense credit for the efforts they have gone to in order to develop distinct Olympic and Paralympic emblems. No stone has been left unturned with significant consultation, research and testing conducted every step of the journey. The results are two spectacular emblems that each tell their own story.”
Brisbane 2032 Vice President and Minister for Communications and Sport Anika Wells said the Emblems also carry a broader national role.
“The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games is a once in a generation event that will unite Australians.”
She said the Queensland identity within the designs would also help present Australia to an international audience.
“This Emblems is iconically Queensland. It’s how the world will see the Games in the lead-up to 2032 and is an amazing opportunity to showcase the entire country to a global audience.”
Ms Wells said that exposure also connects with the longer-term sporting goals of Brisbane 2032.
“Brisbane 2032 will inspire the next generation of athletes and get more young people into sport to deliver a lasting legacy for Queensland and Australia.”
What To Look For Next?
With the full Emblems now revealed, the designs can become a more visible part of Brisbane 2032 as preparations continue.
For Queensland communities, they also give the Games a recognisable identity years before competition begins. The state’s outline, wildlife and local character will now form part of how Brisbane 2032 is represented internationally.
Another major part of the Games identity is still to come. Brisbane 2032’s mascot or mascots will be revealed closer to Games time.
