The Queensland Centre for Olympic and Paralympic Studies

The Queensland Centre for Olympic and Paralympic Studies is the only IOC sanctioned Olympic Studies and Research Centre in Queensland and one of three Australia-wide.

The Centre for Olympic Studies was founded at the University of Queensland in the year 2000 by Honorary Associate Professor Ian Jobling. In 2024, the Centre was renamed and restructured as the Queensland Centre for Olympic and Paralympic Studies (QCOPS), to encompass the diverse range of Olympic, Paralympic, and sport-related research being conducted across the region. Professor John Cairney (HoS, HMNS) is the inaugural director of QCOPS with Honorary Associate Professor Jobling serving as its patron.

The Centre’s aim is to increase academic and public knowledge of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. QCOPS is a hub for research on big issues and ideas related to The Games, and sport and health more broadly. We connect scholars from UQ and our affiliate university members with influential thinkers in industry, government, and community bodies.

We promote community knowledge about the Olympic and Paralympic Games, through hosting public lectures, community events, and educational programs. QCOPS will be home to UQ’s Olympic and Paralympic Hall of Fame project, which celebrates current students and alumni who have and will compete in the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Queensland Centre for Olympic and Paralympic Studies is a cornerstone of UQ’s overall Games strategy, as we work with our partners to ensure the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic games leave a positive legacy for our region, and beyond. 

Our Partners

Affiliate University Members