Brisbane, Australia (AP) - Kirsty Coventry has completed a ceremonial baton before taking over as chairman of the International Olympic Committee next month, and will monitor preparations for Brisbane's 2032 matches during a three-day inspection visit to Queensland State.

Mikaela Cojuangco Jaworski replaced Coventry as head of the 2032 Summer Olympic Committee after Zimbabwe's Olympic swimming champion was elected Thomas Bach, who was the highest position in sports.

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All three are part of the IOC team that met in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, where they made their first field updates about the overhaul.

"I officially handed over the baton here, or the Olympic flame, and the boomerang was handed over to," Coventry said. "I hope I leave some good resonance."

Coventry made her Olympic debut at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and lives in Australia, saying she felt at home after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarded the 2032 Olympic Games in 2021 to chair the post-2032 Olympics.

“I’m very excited about what Brisbane has to do in 2032, not only in the region, but also in Australia and the world.”

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In March, the newly elected Queensland government spent more than 1,000 days and major concept changes before developing a comprehensive venue plan. These include a new 60,000-seat stadium and a water sports center in the Victoria Park area near the heart of Brisbane, as well as suggestions for sharing activities with areas outside the capital.

The surprising call for boating in a river in Rockhpton, central Queensland has attracted attention and criticism from the public and sports administrators.

Senior IOC Olympic Executive Director Christophe Dubi said there will be time for local organizers and sports unions to consider choice and cooperation, and there is absolutely no need to panic until Brisbane matches until Brisbane matches.

"No one other than the federal government can say the field of competition is ready," he said, noting that as Olympic plans develop, who signed the final signing on the stadium.

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"Plans always change, and usually they get better," he said. "The question is not whether the plan has changed - it has changed - but is it a better plan? The answer is yes."

Andrew Liveris, chairman of the local organizing committee, said the site construction could begin later in 2026, and he believes the main building plan will be completed for a year at the Olympics.

Dobby said skeptics should consider the phase of Sydney's plan, starting with the 2000 Olympics.

He said the Greenfield ruins at the main Brisbane stadium and aquatic centre “a incredible location” and Paris 2024 organizers set a great example in this regard.

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“So if you ask me from an operational perspective, it’s definitely feasible,” he said. “You also have the opportunity to have this venue and this audience, so creating the atmosphere of the area in the downtown area, which would be very special.”

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AP Olympics