The Gold Coast’s swimming elite have celebrated the one year countdown till they compete in front of a home crowd at the 2014 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships.
The redeveloped Gold Coast Aquatic Centre currently under construction will make its international debut as the host venue for the event and local swim stars took time out to inspect progress onsite.
Olympian Chris Wright said competing at the new aquatic centre would give the Australian squad an extra edge.
“The new aquatic centre will be right up there with the world’s best swimming venues and a home crowd will give the Australian team a big boost,” said Wright.
“The Pan Pacs is one of the premier meets in world swimming, with some of the strongest swimming nations competing, so it’s a big deal to be representing your country at this event.
“My goal is to not only be competitive at the Pan Pacs next August – swimming at a home Commonwealth Games in 2018 would also be very special.”
Swimming Australia CEO Mark Anderson said the charter nations of Australia, Japan, Canada and the US met recently during the FINA World Championships in Spain and all four teams were looking forward to a fantastic event on the Gold Coast.
“Everyone is looking forward to competing on the Gold Coast next year. The visiting teams were all very interested to hear how development is progressing for the new aquatic centre at Southport, as well as the many attractions and activities availability to them on the Gold Coast,” said Mr Anderson.
“As well as the best swimmers in the world from the US, Japan and Canada, we also expect to attract many more from our fellow pan pacific nations including Brazil, South Africa, New Zealand, South Korea and China for what promises to be a great swim meet, and a fantastic event in a brand new facility.
“Many of our current stars on the Australian Swim Team hail from South East Queensland and they are all looking forward to swimming for Australia on the Gold Coast.”
Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games The Honourable Jann Stuckey and Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the Pan Pacs would be a major milestone for the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre.
“Bringing forward redevelopment of the aquatic centre provides the Gold Coast with a competitive advantage to host the Pan Pacs and will deliver benefits for the city and the whole of Queensland ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games,” said Minister Stuckey.
“The aquatic centre project has been a great collaboration between the City and the Queensland Government and I look forward to working together to secure more events like the Pan Pacs for the Gold Coast,” said Mayor Tate.
The Pan Pacific Swimming Championships will be held on the Gold Coast from 20-25 August 2014.