Published Wednesday, 14 February, 2007 at 04:15 PM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
BID FOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS MOVES ONE STEP CLOSER
Premier Peter Beattie this afternoon met with the President of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) to help further Queensland’s bid for the 2011 World Championships in Athletics.
“President, Lamine Diack, is currently attending the Oceania Athletic Association Congress on the Gold Coast which has provided a unique opportunity for him to see what our wonderful city has to offer,” Mr Beattie said.
“I think we would be great hosts and could stage one of the most successful Championships ever if given the chance.
“While the bid process is very competitive and rarely does a city win first time around,
I am sure our wonderful weather, first class facilities and vibrant cultural and social life will prove an attractive lure.”
Held every two years the World Championships are one of the biggest international sporting events, attracting 3,200 world-class athletes, officials from over 200 countries and more than half a million spectators.
President Diack’s visit precedes an official IAAF delegation’s evaluation of Brisbane next week. Mr Beattie said the evaluation team would assess the city’s infrastructure as well as the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre at Nathan.
“Our State earned its reputation on the back of the successful staging of events such as the Commonwealth Games, World Expo, the Goodwill Games and sports from the 2000 Olympic Games,” Mr Beattie said.
“Since then our Government has pumped millions of dollars into new infrastructure that has enhanced our reputation as Australia’s events destination.
“We built Suncorp Stadium, redeveloped the Gabba and Sports and Athletics Centre and are finishing work on a new stadium down the Gold Coast,” Mr Beattie said.
“In addition we have built a convention centre on the Gold Coast, redeveloped the Brisbane Convention Centre, revitalised South Bank and just opened the new world class Gallery of Modern Art.
“I am 100% behind this bid and have already indicated I will travel with the Lord Mayor to Mombasa to formally present Brisbane’s bid with a team including John Coates AC, Herb Elliot, Rob de Castella and Craig Mottram.
“I would love for Brisbane to host the 2011 World Championships.
”Not only would it provide a massive boost for the local economy and create jobs but it would also expose the beauty of the Smart State to the world yet again.”
14 February 2007
Media contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
“President, Lamine Diack, is currently attending the Oceania Athletic Association Congress on the Gold Coast which has provided a unique opportunity for him to see what our wonderful city has to offer,” Mr Beattie said.
“I think we would be great hosts and could stage one of the most successful Championships ever if given the chance.
“While the bid process is very competitive and rarely does a city win first time around,
I am sure our wonderful weather, first class facilities and vibrant cultural and social life will prove an attractive lure.”
Held every two years the World Championships are one of the biggest international sporting events, attracting 3,200 world-class athletes, officials from over 200 countries and more than half a million spectators.
President Diack’s visit precedes an official IAAF delegation’s evaluation of Brisbane next week. Mr Beattie said the evaluation team would assess the city’s infrastructure as well as the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre at Nathan.
“Our State earned its reputation on the back of the successful staging of events such as the Commonwealth Games, World Expo, the Goodwill Games and sports from the 2000 Olympic Games,” Mr Beattie said.
“Since then our Government has pumped millions of dollars into new infrastructure that has enhanced our reputation as Australia’s events destination.
“We built Suncorp Stadium, redeveloped the Gabba and Sports and Athletics Centre and are finishing work on a new stadium down the Gold Coast,” Mr Beattie said.
“In addition we have built a convention centre on the Gold Coast, redeveloped the Brisbane Convention Centre, revitalised South Bank and just opened the new world class Gallery of Modern Art.
“I am 100% behind this bid and have already indicated I will travel with the Lord Mayor to Mombasa to formally present Brisbane’s bid with a team including John Coates AC, Herb Elliot, Rob de Castella and Craig Mottram.
“I would love for Brisbane to host the 2011 World Championships.
”Not only would it provide a massive boost for the local economy and create jobs but it would also expose the beauty of the Smart State to the world yet again.”
14 February 2007
Media contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500