PREMIER BACKS BRISBANE’S BID FOR 2011 WORLD ATHLETICS
Published Monday, 13 November, 2006 at 05:31 AM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
MONACO: Queensland Premier and Minister for Trade Peter Beattie has met with the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) President Lamine Diack to discuss Brisbane’s bid to host the 2011 World Championships in Athletics.
“The Queensland Events Corporation and Athletics Australia are preparing the formal bid which is to be lodged by December 1st 2006 and I was delighted to confirm with Mr Diack that it has the full support of the Queensland Government,” Mr Beattie said.
“It would be an incredible coup for Brisbane to win the right to host this event and we’ll be giving it our best shot,” he said.
“Only the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup are bigger than these championships which have never before been staged in the Southern Hemisphere.”
Mr Beattie said Queensland is a strong contender despite being up against bids from Spain, South Korea, Morocco, Russia, Sweden, United Arab Emirates and the United States of America – and 50% more candidates are vying for hosting rights this time around.
He said Queensland has an impressive track record in hosting big international events, from the 1982 Commonwealth Games, World Expo in 1988, to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in 2002.
“Queensland also hosted events during the 2000 Sydney Olympics and the Goodwill Games which were held here in 2001.
“The upcoming championships are expected to attract 500,000 spectators and thousands of competitors and media representatives. Teams will also need venues for training camps in the lead-up to the big event and we have it all.
“The benefits of hosting such a major international drawcard include a big injection into the State economy, as well as creating jobs and industry links, and promoting Queensland to the world through media coverage.
“Brisbane is a safe environment and our climate is outstanding. We’re definitely in the running.”
Mr Beattie last night attended the World Athletics Gala 2006 in Monaco which was to be attended by IAAF Council Member for Great Britain Lord Sebastian Coe.
The winning bid will be announced early next year. Mr Beattie said Queensland plans to hold the event at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre at Nathan.
Media contact: Alexia Deegan 0400 767 490
“The Queensland Events Corporation and Athletics Australia are preparing the formal bid which is to be lodged by December 1st 2006 and I was delighted to confirm with Mr Diack that it has the full support of the Queensland Government,” Mr Beattie said.
“It would be an incredible coup for Brisbane to win the right to host this event and we’ll be giving it our best shot,” he said.
“Only the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup are bigger than these championships which have never before been staged in the Southern Hemisphere.”
Mr Beattie said Queensland is a strong contender despite being up against bids from Spain, South Korea, Morocco, Russia, Sweden, United Arab Emirates and the United States of America – and 50% more candidates are vying for hosting rights this time around.
He said Queensland has an impressive track record in hosting big international events, from the 1982 Commonwealth Games, World Expo in 1988, to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in 2002.
“Queensland also hosted events during the 2000 Sydney Olympics and the Goodwill Games which were held here in 2001.
“The upcoming championships are expected to attract 500,000 spectators and thousands of competitors and media representatives. Teams will also need venues for training camps in the lead-up to the big event and we have it all.
“The benefits of hosting such a major international drawcard include a big injection into the State economy, as well as creating jobs and industry links, and promoting Queensland to the world through media coverage.
“Brisbane is a safe environment and our climate is outstanding. We’re definitely in the running.”
Mr Beattie last night attended the World Athletics Gala 2006 in Monaco which was to be attended by IAAF Council Member for Great Britain Lord Sebastian Coe.
The winning bid will be announced early next year. Mr Beattie said Queensland plans to hold the event at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre at Nathan.
Media contact: Alexia Deegan 0400 767 490