PARIS - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) revealed on Wednesday that the Australian city of Brisbane is its preferred candidate to host the 2032 Olympic Games.

"The IOC Future Host Commission recommended that executive committee initiate a targeted dialogue with Brisbane and the Australian Olympic Committee for the organization of the 2032 Olympic Games," said IOC president Thomas Bach after the IOC Executive Board (EB) meeting on Wednesday.

"The executive committee unanimously accepted this recommendation. The Brisbane 2032 project is fully aligned with Olympic Agenda 2020 and the new recommendations of Olympic Agenda 2020+5. It proposes a sustainable Games in line with the region's long-term strategy and using primarily existing and temporary venues," Bach added.

"It is not a decision against the other candidates, it is a decision in favor of a candidacy."

Several cities had publicly expressed an interest in the 2032 Games, including Budapest, Doha and Germany's Ruhr Valley.

Bach clarified that no final decision on the host city had been made, but that "more detailed discussions" with Brisbane would start, although he gave no timetable.

Australia last hosted the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000.