GC Australia’s elite sporting paradise
FORGET the AFL and NRL finals, the Gold Coast is the centre of Australia’s sporting universe this weekend, with thousands of athletes arriving in the city for a smorgasbord of elite contests.
More than 5000 athletes will take part in the world triathlon championships over the next four days, with winners to be crowned in age group, elite and paratriathlon categories.
The Gold Coast this week becomes the first city to host the world championships and elite World Triathlon Series (WTS) grand final for the third time after its efforts in 1991 and 2009.
Thousands of competitors come from overseas and interstate, including the biggest names in the sport such as WTS rankings leaders Katie Zaferes (US) and Mario Mola (Spain).
Gymnastics Australia’s National Clubs Carnival will attract almost 4000 athletes to the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre at Carrara in the organisation’s biggest ever event.
Gymnasts from 236 clubs, including Commonwealth Games medallist and Gold Coast product Georgia-Rose Brown, will take part in the artistic gymnastics event at the venue which hosted badminton, weightlifting and wrestling at the April Games.
And thousands of fans are expected to pack into Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday night when the Wallabies take on Argentina in The Rugby Championship Test.
Tourism Industry Develop- ment Minister Kate Jones said the elite triple treat was a boon for the Gold Coast economy.
“Two of the events this weekend are classed as highparticipation events – bringing thousands of competitors and officials, coaches and spectators over several weeks,” Ms Jones said.
“We invested in transport infrastructure and venues ahead of the Games to make the Gold Coast one of the most attractive major events destinations on the planet.
“Overall we expect these events to generate almost $10 million for the local economy and bring more than 60,000 visitor nights.”
And in another win for elite sport on the Coast, Hockey Australia will today announce three major events over the next two years.
While the national body revealed earlier this year it would hold the Australian Hockey League finals on the Coast next month, a partnership with Tourism and Events Queensland has also secured the Trans-Tasman Masters Challenge and Australian women’s masters titles next year.