Queensland leads the way with top GC2018 medal haul

Queensland’s elite training pathways have again shown to be the best in Australia, with Queensland athletes winning almost half of Australia’s medal haul at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Sports Minister Mick de Brenni said the Games were triumph for Queensland athletes, Games staff and volunteers.

“Australia blitzed the competition across all events, winning 198 medals in total,” Mr de Brenni said.

“But our Queensland athletes blew everyone off the park.

“Queenslanders won almost half of the Australian medal tally – 89 of 198 medals.

“And overall were responsible for 36 of Australia’s 80 gold medals - Queensland excelled in gymnastics, cycling, the marathon – you name it.

 “We had 129 Queensland athletes representing Australia at the Games. Eighty-nine of them were competing at their very first Commonwealth Games, and 55 of those athletes medalled.”

Mr de Brenni said Queensland athletes smashed 13 Games Records, and set a new World Record.

“It’s just outstanding, and I think every Queenslander is proud to be a Queenslander off the back of our athlete’s exceptional performances,” Mr de Brenni said.

“Our results in the pool were even better.

“Queensland swimmers took out almost three quarters of Australia’s haul of 28 gold medals, and around two thirds of the total medal tally for swimming events.

“A huge part of this is down to the facilities we have here in Queensland.

"And it's down tothe training and support provided by the Queensland Academy of Sport at the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre, home of the 1982 Commonwealth Games, and soon to be home to our new State Netball Centre.

“Our elite training pathways in Queensland are second to none.

“That’s why Queensland athletes consistently and persistently outperform every other state in Australia.”

Mr de Brenni said that Round 7 of the Get Going Clubs grants program had been opened early, on April 23, to capitalise on Games fever sweeping the state.

“The Commonwealth Games did more than simply increase Aussie pride,” Mr de Brenni said.

“It provided the Palaszczuk Government with a platform to inspire our future athletes, and give Queensland kids the opportunity to succeed.

“We can only encourage more children to play sport by investing in our local clubs.

“That’s why our government is committed to removing barriers that prevent children from having a go.

“Through Round 7 of Get Going Clubs, we’re set to provide a further $3.5 million in funding to make it easier for Queenslanders to be more active, more often.

“To complement our commitment, we began developing our Sport and Active Recreation Strategy in October 2017.

“The strategy will chart a pathway from grassroots club and active recreation level right up to how we manage our major sports infrastructure through Stadiums Queensland.

“The development of the strategy provides the opportunity to deal with the biggest challenge that faces us in terms of sport – that of inequality in sport.

“Analysis shows there is a difference between children of wealthy families and working class kids, and that difference is that working class kids have fewer opportunity to get into sport.

“This government believes every kid in Queensland deserves the chance to get in and have a go.

“And it breaks my heart that some of the kids who would get the most out of being part of a sporting club are the ones who can least afford it.

“Part of our Commonwealth Games legacy, and our Sport and Active Recreation Strategy, will be to make sure that every Queensland kid has the opportunity to get into sport.”

ENDS

Media contact: Cat Milton 0447 117 132