2009: Olympic experience for UQ graduate

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Tags: centenary-edition, olympics, Science

Katherine Gould, BRTP (hons)

When UQ graduate Katherine Gould completed her degree her sights were set on flying to the home of the Olympic Games to attend the IOA 17th International Seminar on Olympic Studies for Postgraduate Students.

Katherin Gould

Ms Gould, a Bachelor of Regional and Town Planning graduate, was awarded a place in the month-long seminar, run by the International Olympic Academy (IOA) in Greece.

As a participant, Ms Gould was involved in talks regarding all aspects of the modern and Ancient Olympic Games, and she also presented a paper regarding the post-utilisation of mega-event facilities.

Her prior research had indicated that the scale and impact of mega-events had dramatically escalated in recent decades.

“The appropriate planning of mega-event facilities has become an increasingly important topic of discussion and debate,” she said.

“Mega-events are extremely difficult to plan for due to the large scale multi-faceted nature of the project and the lasting physical impacts associated with their development, which stretch decades into the future of a city.

“More often than not in recent decades, the sport facilities used to host Olympic events become the landmarks of the host city and in some cases the country.

“So it’s critical that facilities built to host the Olympics are appropriately planned before, during and after the Games to ensure these landmarks are functional and provide long-term benefits for the host city.”

Ms Gould said being accepted as one of just 35 students internationally to attend the IOA seminar would not have been possible without a bit of luck, hard work and the help of Planning Program Director Associate Professor John Minnery, and Dr Ian Jobling, Honorary Reader and Director of the Centre for Olympic Studies.

“UQ has opened doors I never thought possible and the School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management in particular has been extremely supportive, helpful and generous,” she said.

“Had I not attended UQ, the possibility of being nominated for such an amazing opportunity would not have occurred.

“UQ provides not just the knowledge necessary to be successful, and the drive to want to do so, but also the contacts to ensure that that knowledge and drive are put to good use.”

By Alex Osuch

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