Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) Chairman, Nigel Chamier OAM and Minister for the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey announced today that the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has approved the sport program and venues master plan for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games™.
Mr Chamier said another key milestone had now been ticked off in the journey towards 2018 with the approval of the sport program.
The sport program remains largely unchanged from what was outlined in the 2011 Candidate City File submission, with the addition of women’s Rugby Sevens and women’s Boxing.
The sports to be contested in 2018 include:
Athletics, Aquatics (Swimming, Diving), Badminton, Boxing, Hockey, Lawn Bowls, Netball, Squash, Rugby 7’s, Weightlifting, Basketball, Shooting, Table Tennis, Cycling (Road, Track, Mountain Bike), Gymnastics (Artistic, Rhythmic), Triathlon, Wrestling
“Whilst Rugby Sevens and Boxing are Commonwealth Games core sports, the inclusion of the women’s competition was at the discretion of the Organising Corporation and required the approval of the CGF, “Mr Chamier said.
“Both of these women’s sports are generating momentum and popularity in the international sporting arena and will deliver an outstanding competition with many of the world’s elite athletes.
“Para-Sports events are incorporated into the core sports program and include Athletics, Swimming, Lawn Bowls and Powerlifting with further consideration to expanding the program to be confirmed in 2015.
“We will now focus on delivering a Commonwealth Games that provides facilities and an environment to support excellent competition that will attract the Commonwealth’s greatest sportsmen and women,” Mr Chamier said.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said the Queensland Government is on track to deliver three new sporting venues and major upgrades to eight others for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games™.
“The concept drawings released for the new Coomera Sports and Leisure Centre and the new Queensland State Velodrome demonstrates the great work happening behind the scenes to deliver exciting world-class sport and community infrastructure for South East Queensland.
“The Carrara Indoor Stadium has been identified as an additional venue and will be upgraded to replace a temporary venue to host the weightlifting competition during the Commonwealth Games, providing yet another great infrastructure legacy for the Gold Coast,” Mr Seeney said.
Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games, Hon Jann Stuckey said the approval for the sporting and the venue master plan was a major milestone on the road to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games™.
The venue master plan confirms the final location of competition venues for the biggest sporting event to be staged in Australia this decade.
Minister Stuckey said the confirmed locations was the result of strong planning and consultation between the Queensland Government, GOLDOC and the sporting federations in pursuit of the most suitable location that provided the best long term community use outcomes.
“A significant amount of work has gone into the finalisation of the venues plan and the ultimate outcome provides a greater legacy and a brighter future for the Gold Coast,” Ms Stuckey said.
“The Newman Government, in collaboration with GOLDOC and our agency partners, is on track to deliver a great Commonwealth Games, on time and on budget.”
The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games™ will be staged from 4 – 15 April 2018.