DECISION TIME SOON ON HOSTING 2011 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN ATHLETICS

MOMBASA: Premier Peter Beattie has joined a star studded team of past, present and future champions who will make the final pitch to the 28 delegates of the International Association of Athletics Federations who will decide the city to host the 2011 World Championships in Athletics.

The announcement by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) will be made tomorrow following presentations from the three cities that are still in the running for the event – Brisbane, Moscow and Daegu (South Korea).

Mr Beattie said Brisbane had put together an excellent bid and was ready to stage a spectacular World Championships in Athletics if given the chance.

The Premier leads the Brisbane delegation which includes Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman and Australian Olympic Committee President, John Coates AC.

The Brisbane bid will focus strongly on Australia’s long tradition in athletics’ excellence and is supported by a team of champions.

“Rome gold medallist Herb Elliott, marathon legend Robert de Castella and dual Irish/Australian citizenship holder Sonia O’Sullivan – a 5000 metre world champion and regarded by many as Ireland’s greatest ever sportsperson, are in Mombasa to push Brisbane’s case,” Mr Beattie said.

“So too, are the next generation of champions - Craig Mottram, bronze medallist in the 5000 metres at the 2005 world championships, and World Junior shot and discus champion, 18-year-old Dani Samuels,” he said.

“This is incredibly exciting for Brisbane. The World Championships in Athletics are often regarded as the third largest global sporting event after the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup.

“The world championships have never before been held in the Southern Hemisphere, and that could enhance our chances of being named the winning candidate.

“Moscow and Daegu have much to offer too but a number of important international events have previously been staged in Brisbane, including the 1982 Commonwealth Games and the Goodwill Games in 2001.

“Brisbane was also an excellent venue for football matches during the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

“We can also provide a safe environment and a very agreeable climate.”

Mr Beattie said Brisbane’s bid was submitted by Athletics Australia and the Queensland Events Corporation in December.

Mr Beattie said the 2011 World Championships in Athletics would be the biggest event to ever be held in Brisbane.

“It’s bigger than the 1988 World Expo in terms of television reach and status and substantially bigger than the 2001 Goodwill Games and the 1982 Commonwealth Games,” he said.

The World Championships in Athletics are held every two years. The 2005 Helsinki event attracted 1849 athletes from 196 countries, a similar number of officials and 2753 media representatives.

More than 200,000 spectators attended during the 9 days and the Championships were seen by four billion television viewers throughout the world.

“If Brisbane is selected tomorrow, it will be much more than a victory for sports fans. It would provide our economy with an enormous boost,” Mr Beattie said.

“The Championships would bring job opportunities and the worldwide television coverage which would provide a great boost for our tourism industry.”

Media contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500

Bid team:  Vinje House on +61 417 764 637

26 March 2007