Australia’s Gold Coast has officially been announced as the venue for the marathon swim at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, a huge win for Aussie swimming fans and the global open water community.

The 10km event, often dubbed the “marathon of the pool-less,” will be raced at the stunning Gold Coast Broadwater.

Protected from heavy surf but still offering the beauty of the ocean, the Broadwater was a standout choice, ticking all the boxes for athletes, organisers, and spectators alike.

It’s a fitting location for the marathon swim. The Gold Coast isn’t just a world-famous surf spot; it’s also a stronghold of Australian swimming culture, with a deep love of both the pool and the open water.

With its flat, fast course and relatively warm conditions expected in July and August, it should make for a cracking race come Games time.

Australian Olympic Committee President Ian Chesterman said the decision to host the event at the Gold Coast was an easy one because of the beauty and accessibility of the venue.

“The Broadwater is the perfect blend of natural beauty, accessibility, and experience hosting major international events.

“After the success of the 2018 Commonwealth Games, on the Gold Coast, there’s proof the region knows how to deliver a world-class show.’

Unlike many Olympic marathon swims, which can sometimes feel a little removed from public view, the Broadwater set-up promises to bring the action closer to spectators.

Fans will be able to line parts of the course, giving the athletes an extra boost from the cheers on shore, and creating an atmosphere more like a stadium than a solitary slog. Expect noise, colour, and a real buzz around the course.

For the athletes, conditions are expected to be favourable: relatively flat water, moderate temperatures, and limited current.

But, as always in open water, nothing is ever truly predictable. Wind, tides, and winter cold snaps could all play a role in shaping the race, making local knowledge and tactical nous critical, once the day is upon athletes.

It’s also a big moment for Australia’s open water stars, with hopes high that the home crowd will spur them to glory.

Australia has a proud history in the marathon swim, with the likes of Moesha Johnson (Paris 2024 silver medallist) and Kareena Lee (Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist) flying the flag for Down Under in past Games.

Rising talents in both the men’s and women’s fields will now have the added motivation of chasing Olympic dreams on home soil.

The Brisbane 2032 Olympics are still seven years away, but for open water swimmers and for Aussie swim fans the countdown has already begun.

The Gold Coast is ready, the swimmers are dreaming, and come 2032, we’re set for one hell of a race.