At the 138th International Olympic Committee session in Tokyo, the delegates voted overwhelmingly for Brisbane 2032 to host the XXXV Olympic Games. The excitement and magnitude of the achievement is being instantly felt by Australians of all ages.

At the Olympics Live site, presented by Westpac at Southbank on the Brisbane River, thousands of locals gathered to watch the bid presentation and countdown to the big decision.

They were joined by Olympians, Paralympians and young excited athletes - who witnessed a potentially life-changing moment. Many politicians and dignitaries who had been working behind the scenes for years on the bid were also nervously waiting and then celebrating.

Moment not lost on 11-year-old Maggie and 83-year-old Dawn

Brisbane will be the third Australian city to host the Games after Melbourne in 1956 and Sydney in 2000. It was fitting that 1956 Olympic Swimming Champion Dawn Fraser and Sydney 2000 Beach Volleyball Champion Natalie Cook were on stage to excite the crowd and challenge the young athletes to work hard and dream big for 2032.

One of those athletes is 11-year-old local diver Maggie Grey.

“It would be pretty amazing if I could compete at a home Olympics and the world can see how beautiful Brisbane really is.

“I remember watching the Rio Games and how cool it was. And now I really want to go to the Brisbane Olympics,” said Maggie who trains at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre where the diving will be held.

Olympic legend Dawn Fraser was just 19 when she won gold at Melbourne 1956 and the Sydney-sider couldn’t be happier for Brisbane.

“Whoa, Brisbane got the Olympic Games in 2032! This is fantastic for the city, fantastic for Queensland and fantastic for Australia.

“Oh, look, you've got to experience a home Games to know what it's all about. And you know, even coming here tonight to listen to the young children saying ‘what's it like to compete in the Olympics?’ All those young kids out there, go get them kids!

Emotional time for Olympic champions

"We did it. We made it! There's nothing better than being able to say it's official, Olympic and Paralympic Games host for Queensland, 2032, you little beauty,” Natalie Cook, who has been right behind the bid for years, cheered.

“It really feels like winning an Olympic gold medal where there is an emotional cocktail going on; a little bit of relief, excitement, nervousness and joy.

"So proud of our city, our state, our country and the collaboration of everyone and what it means for our Olympic athletes now in Tokyo and the future generation. Keep daring to dream and I look forward to seeing the growth of our athletes in 2032.”

With the memories still fresh from winning Olympic gold with the Women’s Rugby 7s Team at the Rio 2016 Games, Alicia Lucas (nee Quirk) can’t wait to cheer on the green and gold in Brisbane.

“It's absolutely incredible. So exciting for Brisbane to get named as the host of the 2032 Olympics. It's gonna be incredible having another Olympic Games on home soil.”

Reflecting on her own memories of watching a home Games in Sydney 2000, Lucas looks forward to once again supporting Aussie history makers at home.

“I was quite young watching those Olympics. It was the first one that I have really fond memories of. Obviously the iconic Cathy Freeman 400 metre final sticks in my mind as the pinnacle of wanting to chase that Olympic dream. I was unfortunate that I couldn't go to Sydney and watch in person so I'm so excited to be able to have the opportunity now that the games are back on home soil, to be a spectator, be a part of it in some capacity and really embrace that Olympic spirit here at home.”

More than that, Lucas can’t wait to welcome more Australians into the exclusive Olympians club. This time, at a home Games.

“It still brings tears to the eyes. It's really indescribable. The saying ‘Once an Olympian, always an Olympian’ rings true. You feel so connected to such a special group and it is an incredible feeling to be part of the Olympic family.”

Paralympic Champions proud of their home state 

Rio 2016 Para Canoe Champion Curtis McGrath is a proud Queenslander, a very proud Paralympian and he hopes there were kids in the crowd tonight that he’ll be cheering on in 2032.

“Being a Parlympian is really special. We're part of a very unique club and it’s really amazing to think that we have a pinnacle sporting event that we can aspire to achieve our hopes and dreams for Australia. And you can do it right here in 2032!”

“I'm absolutely ecstatic that we're going to have a home Games right here in our backyard. What more could you ask for? Paralympic swimming champion Lakeisha ‘Lucky’ Patterson said.

“Being able to witness an Olympic and Paralympic Games here in 2032 will be a game-changer for so many people.

“An Olympic and Paralympic Games is a celebration of sport but also of unity and resilience and humanity all together. There is so much to look forward to.”

Proud Queensland track stars overjoyed by Brisbane win

“Oh my God, we just won the Olympics in 2032,” 2012 Olympic hurdles champion Sally Pearson beamed.

“The influence that this is going to have on this next generation coming through in sport, and all sorts of businesses, it's going to be huge for the city is going to be amazing. It's absolutely amazing.”

Pearson was inspired by the Sydney Olympic Games and went on to win bronze in 2008 and gold in 2012.

“I think I was 13/14 years of age during the Sydney Olympics and just the ripe age where you are impressionable, you are, you look for inspiration, you look to try and find out what is it that I want to do with my life. When I saw those Olympics, I knew that that's what I want to do.

“There are going to be plenty of people in that crowd, kids in that crowd tonight who are 13/14 years of age, looking to do the same thing in 2032. My advice to kids is, now that you know this result, start working, start planning whatever it is that you want to achieve in sport, in business, in anything that you want to do because this is the right city to be in right now.”

Fellow Queenslander and Australian 100m record holder Patrick Johnson will never forget competing at Sydney 2000 and as a proud local he was moved by the big news.

“Oh, it's an incredible moment because you’ve got to be there to really feel the vibe about winning the next Olympic Games. Even though it's an 11 year runway, it's excitement that's going to build and build and it's an opportunity for Australia to be showcased to the world again.

“We're such a sporting nation, but to be able to know that we had the next Olympics in 11 years, that’s going to build not only the athletes, the families and communities, it's got to be a shared national enjoyment.”

Johnson’s advice to the next generations of Queensland Olympians is simple. Set your sights high and don’t look back.

“Don't ever forget that there is no limitation in life, only what you put on yourself. Dream big because you have the reality of the Brisbane Games in 11 years.”

Young locals excited by what it means for their city

“It is going to create new jobs, it is going to put Brisbane on the global stage, it is going to bring people into the state, into the city, it is ultimately only upsides for us,” 21-year-old retail worker and student Andrew Petersen said.

“The 2018 Commonwealth Games proved that we have the infrastructure here already that is capable of hosting a big event like this and naturally we have the next 10 years to develop and prepare for this.”

Saskia Logan, 18, summed up the atmosphere amongst the public.

“It’s just so exciting, and as it comes closer and closer it will be even more exciting.”