Queensland the Golden State for Commonwealth Games

Queensland’s Commonwealth Games athletes have been told to go for Gold at Glasgow at a farewell at the Queensland Academy of Sport today.

The State Government has provided Queensland’s team of more than 90 athletes with a bonus grant of $2,700 each towards their final preparations for the Glasgow games.

Minister for Sport Steve Dickson said the Newman Government was committed to investing in sport throughout the state, from the grassroots through to the elite level.

“As a government we are proud to stand behind our sporting elite and wish them great success as they strive to do their best on the world stage,” Mr Dickson said.

“The resources and facilities of the Queensland Academy of Sport have helped Queensland once again display incredible strength and depth in the sporting arena, with at least 90 of the 417 person Australian team heading to Scotland in July.”

Queensland is represented in 17 of the 18 sports, and has strong medal contenders in Cate Campbell and Christian Sprenger (swimming), Damon Kelly (weightlifting), Benn Harradine (track and field) and Michael Hepburn (cycling).

“I have no doubt the success of these athletes will inspire a whole new generation of budding athletes, and help the Newman Government deliver on its goal to get more Queenslanders involved in sport.”

Minister for Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey said Queensland would be building on a strong history of success at the Commonwealth Games.

“In 1982 Brisbane hosted the Commonwealth Games with 40 Queensland athletes, and in 2018 when the Games return to Queensland’s Gold Coast we will be even stronger,” Ms Stuckey said.

“This Government is investing $320 million in sport and community infrastructure for the Gold Coast event next year, which will generate up to 30,000 jobs and inject $2 billion into our economy.

“We are on track to deliver the greatest games ever, on time and on budget.”

Australian Olympic and Commonwealth Games weight-lifter Damon Kelly said the Bonus Grant received from the Queensland Government helped to fund the costs associated with training and competing internationally.

“Weightlifting is not a sport that attracts much sponsorship or support so this money is very much appreciated,” Mr Kelly said.

The Glasgow Commonwealth Games will run from 23 July to 3 August 2014.

[ENDS] 25 June 2014

Media contact: Michelle Buckworth 0418 433 647 // Danyelle Nolan 0408 410 930