Brisbane:A pink cockatoo has been selected as the official symbol for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brisbane, Australia. The announcement was made after a leaked image on social media led officials to hold an emergency press conference to address the premature release of the symbol.

According to Thai News Agency, the cockatoo was chosen over other animals like kangaroos, koalas, and ibises. It was selected for its design, which resembles the Olympic and Paralympic flames, and its shape, which represents Queensland, the host state of the Games. Australia has previously hosted the Olympics in Melbourne in 1956 and Sydney in 2000.

Meanwhile, India and Qatar have submitted their bids to host the 2036 Olympic Games, joining five other countries in the race: South Africa, South Korea, Germany, Hungary, and Turkey. India is set to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030, while Qatar, which recently hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup, may need to adjust the event timing due to weather considerations if selected as the host.