Perth World Games bid gathers momentum

World Games 2027 Bid Committee chair Tanya Brown says the flow-on effect on businesses from hosting the sporting event in Perth would be “astronomical”.

Referred to as the "largest humanitarian event in the world", the Special Olympics World Games are held every four years and see 8,000 athletes with intellectual disability compete from 170 nations and territories.

The competition was last held in Abu Dhabi in 2019 and will take place in Berlin in 2023.

Non-executive director and World Games 2027 Bid Committee chair Tanya Brown has been tasked with taking the lead on a bid to host the World Games in Perth in 2027.

Ms Brown also sits on the board of the Special Olympics Australia and is a director of Hardie Finance Corporation and Entertainment Enterprises, 

Speaking to Business News, Ms Brown said the appetite for Perth to host the games was “immense.”

“It has never been hosted in the southern hemisphere before so the appetite of Special Olympics International to reach into the southern hemisphere through the catalyst of sport is immense,” she said.

“Australia’s a peaceful healthy sport-loving nation that would thrive from the opportunity.”

She said the bid had received bipartisan government and business support, as evidenced by a list of more than 60 letters of support to the Chair of Special Olympics International Dr Tim Shriver.

This list included WA Governor Kim Beazley, Federal Member for Perth Patrick Gorman, Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas, WA chief scientist Peter Klinken and Richard Goyder.

A business case for the event was prepared by Ernst & Young through a $150,000 grant provided by the state government.

As there’s likely to be no infrastructure spend allocated to the games, existing venues will be used to accommodate events.

Finer details are still to be confirmed, but Ms Brown said Optus Stadium would be a likely contender for the opening and closing ceremony.

Asked what effect hosting the games would have on the Perth business community, Ms Brown said it would be astronomical.

“It’s like an economic stimulus package and Perth is really a major beneficiary of it,” she said.

“We’re talking about 27,000 beds and then either side with additional stays… it would really stimulate hospitality.

“Showcasing 26 sports which includes sailing with our water and Optus Stadium and all our venues that come into play and get showcased to the world.

“It’s astronomical.”

The EY case estimated the games would cost approximately $136 million with an economic return of $212 million.