Australia's footballers get Olympic party started as Brisbane awarded 2032 Games
As the curtain draws on the opening games of Group G, Australia find themselves in second place following a 2-1 win against rivals New Zealand - just hours after the IOC confirm Brisbane will host 2032 Olympics.
Football
Though not officially beginning until 23 July, a few sports began their Olympic competitions on 21 July, with Australia at the heart of the action.
After the return of their softball stars, attention turned to football and their tie against rivals New Zealand.
The Matildas opening group game came after the IOC confirmed that Australia has been awarded its third Olympic Games, with Brisbane the hosting city in 2032.
Goals from Tameka Yallop and Sam Kerr were enough to secure the win, despite a late strike from New Zealand's Gabi Rennie.
Brisbane elected 2032 hosts
Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive, Daniel Gschwind, hopes that the Games can act as a 'beacon of hope' for the country.
“This could not come at a better time for us,” he said.
“We are weighed down by worries about our current situation, how are we going to get out of this, and you can end up in a bit of an emotional spiral and sometimes it takes a big, bold ambition to break that."
And Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, has high hopes that Australia will 'reap the enormous benefits' of hosting the Games.
"An Olympic Games would go even further [than Expo 88 and Commonwealth Games 2018], shaping our future for decades to come and inspiring the next generation of Olympic and Paralympic athletes."
IOC President, Thomas Bach, believes that "the Brisbane 2032 vision and Games plan fit into long-term regional and national strategies for social and economic development in Queensland and Australia, and complement the goals for the Olympic Movement outlined in Olympic Agenda 2020 and 2020+5, while focusing on providing memorable sports experiences for athletes and fans.”
Reaction to the news
Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, shares the news via Twitter.
And the Aussies celebrate with a firework display...
Heartwarming scenes in Brisbane following the news...
And while the excitement around 2032 will remain, the Australian team must refocus as they look to make it two wins from two when they take on the formidable Sweden on the next top in their Olympic football campaign.