General News
12 August, 2025
Could our rodeo become an exhibition event at Olympics?
Mount Isa mayor Peta MacRae has floated the idea ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Games.
Scheduled to be smack bang in the middle of the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Mount Isa Rodeo is perfectly placed to be an exhibition event in 2032, says mayor Peta MacRae.
She made her ambition known on Saturday night in front of 7000 people while standing metres from Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie and Tourism Minister Andrew Powell.
“I think it took a few people by surprise,” Cr MacRae said with a smile.
“I’m not going to miss an opportunity to ask for something while I’ve got all the right people in the room.
“I just think it would be great to be included in the Olympic program in some capacity because it is meant to be a Games for the whole of Queensland, and we don’t want the benefit just to go to the south-east corner.
“I know Townsville’s got the sailing, which is wonderful, but it would be a great Outback experience if rodeo was put on the agenda as an exhibition event.”
Demonstration sports and exhibition events have been held regularly at the Olympics for more than 125 years.
In fact, Australian Rules football was a demonstration sport at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne.
Some sports have even gone on to become mainstream events at the Games.
Cr MacRae, knowing that rodeo is a big sport in places like Canada, the United States, New Zealand, Mexico and parts of South America, said making rodeo a demonstration sport in 2032 would be a coup for Mount Isa.
“It would draw international crowds and, as I said on the night, it would put a showcase on for the world and show everyone the other side of Queensland or, as we like we like to say at council, the better side of Queensland.”
The 2032 Brisbane Games are scheduled to run from July 23 to August 8, while the Paralympic Games will be staged from August 24 to September 5.
If keeping with tradition, the Mount Isa Rodeo would likely be held on August 13 to 15 in 2032.
Cr MacRae said she was thrilled with this year’s event, praising the new board and locals for getting behind it.
“It was a fantastic weekend. I’m just so proud of the community and the way they’ve come together,” she said.
“I wish I could bottle the vibe that was around – the positivity.
“The police said that everyone was on their best behaviour.
“There was very little trouble over the weekend. Everyone was so welcoming to all the visitors.
“I think it was the circuit breaker that we needed for everyone just to get out and let their hair down and have a good time and enjoy themselves.”