By: Mark McCrindle
The Paris 2024 Olympics is underway and Australians are filled with pride for Aussie athletes ahead of the games.
The Olympics are more than just a sports event, they are a cultural phenomenon bringing countries and people together. Australians have a strong belief in the event’s power to bring people together globally with seven in ten Australians (71%) strongly or somewhat agreeing that the Olympics brings people together and creates a sense of global unity. The Olympics foster a deep sense of national pride and unity among Australians, with over half of the population (54%) planning to tune in to watch our athletes compete.
Three in five Australians (61%) strongly or somewhat agree they feel a strong sense of national pride when watching Australian athletes compete in the Olympics. This collective experience not only strengthens national identity but also bridges location and cultural divides.
How Aussies plan to watch the Olympics
After the postponement and restrictions of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to COVID-19, this year’s games offer a renewed opportunity to watch and enjoy the events in person and together. Gen Z are making a concerted effort to watch the Olympics with their friends and family with 41% strongly or somewhat agreeing they’re most likely to host a watch party for Olympic events Australians are competing in (compared to 32% Gen Y, 15% Gen X and 8% Baby Boomers). Their eagerness to gather to watch the events highlights how this young generation will lean into the opportunity for social connection and community that the Olympics provides.
Harnessing the opportunity to expose their children to the Olympic games, it is also couple families with dependent children who are doing the same, with 35% of couple families with dependent children likely to host a watch party for Olympic events Australians are competing in, (compared to 19% couple family without dependent children, 16% one-parent family with dependent children, 22% group household and 15% lone person).
Swimming is the sport most Aussies will watch
Swimming (35%), Athletics (33%) and Artistic Gymnastics (25%) are the sports Australians are mostly watching in this year’s games.
Among Gen Z, Basketball (28%) is the sport they are most likely watch, while for Gen Y it is Artistic Gymnastics (31%). Swimming tops the list for both Gen X (39%) and Baby Boomers (51%).
Olympics as a positive experience
Hosting the Olympics is viewed as a positive experience in the eyes of Australians with almost two thirds (64%) strongly or somewhat agreeing that hosting the Olympics has a positive impact on the host city and its residents.
Ahead of the 2032 Olympics set to be held in Brisbane, it is positive to see Australians showing their support and agreeing the host city and its residents experience a positive impact when holding the summer games.
While Australians agree that hosting has a positive impact, they also believe it comes with responsibility to the task. Almost three in four Australians (73%) strongly or somewhat agree it is important for the host city to consider the environmental and sustainability efforts whilst hosting the Olympics.
Article supplied with thanks to McCrindle.
About the Author: McCrindle are a team of researchers and communications specialists who discover insights, and tell the story of Australians – what we do, and who we are.