BLIGH ANNOUNCES CHAMPION AMBASSADOR FOR PAN PACIFIC GAMES

Olympic medallist Tatiana Grigorieva will be the face of this year’s Pan Pacific Masters Games, Premier Anna Bligh announced today.

Ms Bligh named the champion Australian athlete as the 2008 Ambassador at the Games’ official launch at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre.

“Over 10,000 competitors will converge on the Gold Coast in November for what has become a major biennial event, and Tatiana’s involvement this year is a great coup,” Ms Bligh said.

“Tatiana has been a tremendous representative for Australia in international athletics competition for over a decade and is now enjoying her athletic retirement as a Queensland business woman and Gold Coast property owner – she will be a great ambassador for this great event.”

Ms Bligh said for the first time, Broadbeach would be the centre of activity for the Pan Pacific Masters Games.

“The Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre will be the official Games Village, featuring live nightly entertainment, a sport’s expo and fully catered hospitality.

“With more than 80 percent of participants coming from outside the Gold Coast, Broadbeach has plenty of great accommodation, dining and entertainment options for our visitors, as they experience all the Gold Coast has to offer.

“Entries are already flowing in for all 34 sports on the program which, following a record turn-out at the 2008 Gold Coast Airport Marathon, is a testament to the world-class destination the Gold Coast is on the sports tourism calendar.

Ms Grigorieva said she was looking forward to joining participants from all over the world at the Pan Pacific Masters Games.

“It is an honour to be Ambassador of a major Queensland and Australian event like the Pan Pacific Masters Games,” said Tatiana.

“There is something for everybody – an opportunity to play sport competitively in all age groups as well as being able to socialize with fellow competitors and team mates.

“I think the slogan sums it up well – Play it! Live it! Love it!” she said.
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The 2008 Games will be the sixth biennial Pan Pacific Masters Games to be held on the Gold Coast.

Team sports include softball, touch football, soccer, basketball and baseball to individual sports ranging from swimming, athletics, tennis and shooting. Sports like rock’n roll dancing, indoor rowing, tenpin bowling, super 8s cricket and futsal will also be included. Super 8s cricket is a new sport on the program this year.

No qualifying standards or times are required to enter the Masters Games. The only criteria is that participants meet the minimum age requirement for their respective sport, which for the majority is 30 years of age.

The Official Charities for the 2008 Pan Pacific Masters Games are RACQ CareFlight and the Heart Foundation.

For further information or to register visit www.mastersgames.com.au or phone (07) 5564 8733.

Media: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office) or 5564 8733 (Qld Events Gold Coast)

Thursday, 14 August 2008