PREMIER INVITES PRINCE ALBERT TO SEE QUEENSLAND
Published Monday, 13 November, 2006 at 02:36 PM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
MONACO: Premier and Minister for Trade Peter Beattie said today he would be delighted for His Serene Highness Prince Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco, to visit Queensland.
Mr Beattie, who is on a 12-day trade mission to Europe and the Middle East, is in Monaco to support Queensland’s bid for the 2011 World Championships in Athletics.
“It would be terrific for the Prince to see first-hand that Queensland is the perfect choice for the championships,” Mr Beattie said.
Prince Albert, who competed in the bobsled at five Winter Olympics, has been a member of the International Olympic Committee since 1985. He acts as the Honorary President of the International Athletic Foundation (IAF) which assists the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) develop and promote athletics worldwide.
“As an elite sportsman and a sports lover, the Prince knows about Australia’s sporting capabilities,” he said.
“Not only has Australia hosted Olympics in Melbourne in 1956 and Sydney in 2000, but Brisbane held the very successful 1982 Commonwealth Games, the 2001 Goodwill Games and a number of Rugby World Cup matches in 2003.
“Queensland is also highly regarded for producing champion athletes. Cathy Freeman won back-to-back gold medals in the 400m at the World Championships in 1997 and 1999, before following up with gold at the Sydney Olympics. And let’s not forget Glynis Nunn, who won the gold medal in the heptathlon at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984.”
Queensland’s bid is being prepared by the Queensland Events Corporation and Athletics Australia.
Last night the Premier attended the World Athletics Gala 2006, and he yesterday met with Mr Lamine Diack, President of the IAAF.
Today, the Premier is meeting with Mr Jean-Paul Proust, Monaco’s Minister of State and Head of Government.
Media Contact: Premier’s Office 07 3224 4500
Mr Beattie, who is on a 12-day trade mission to Europe and the Middle East, is in Monaco to support Queensland’s bid for the 2011 World Championships in Athletics.
“It would be terrific for the Prince to see first-hand that Queensland is the perfect choice for the championships,” Mr Beattie said.
Prince Albert, who competed in the bobsled at five Winter Olympics, has been a member of the International Olympic Committee since 1985. He acts as the Honorary President of the International Athletic Foundation (IAF) which assists the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) develop and promote athletics worldwide.
“As an elite sportsman and a sports lover, the Prince knows about Australia’s sporting capabilities,” he said.
“Not only has Australia hosted Olympics in Melbourne in 1956 and Sydney in 2000, but Brisbane held the very successful 1982 Commonwealth Games, the 2001 Goodwill Games and a number of Rugby World Cup matches in 2003.
“Queensland is also highly regarded for producing champion athletes. Cathy Freeman won back-to-back gold medals in the 400m at the World Championships in 1997 and 1999, before following up with gold at the Sydney Olympics. And let’s not forget Glynis Nunn, who won the gold medal in the heptathlon at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984.”
Queensland’s bid is being prepared by the Queensland Events Corporation and Athletics Australia.
Last night the Premier attended the World Athletics Gala 2006, and he yesterday met with Mr Lamine Diack, President of the IAAF.
Today, the Premier is meeting with Mr Jean-Paul Proust, Monaco’s Minister of State and Head of Government.
Media Contact: Premier’s Office 07 3224 4500