Success paves way for Coast to star in Olympic bid
THE Gold Coast has never shone brighter than it did during the Commonwealth Games.
A global audience from Manchester to Mumbai saw this amazing city on their TVs and smart phones over 11 magical days. There was a lot of hype, but the Gold Coast didn’t disappoint.
The city was a stunning backdrop to the Games and every venue was impressive.
But for me it was the people of the Gold Coast who stood out most.
They embraced the 4400 athletes who descended on their city and gave a great Queensland welcome to everyone who flew in for the “Friendly Games”.
I saw all this for myself. I enjoyed the Games along with hundreds of thousands of other sport lovers.
I hopped on a bus to Carrara Stadium to watch the dazzling opening ceremony.
I saw Queensland swimmers leave their opponents trailing in their wake at the aquatic centre.
And I had an unforgettable day watching the rhythmic gymnastics with my daughters at the Coomera Indoor Sports Centre.
At every venue, volunteers greeted spectators with a smile, while an army of Games staff worked hard to ensure the events ran smoothly.
Of course, not everything went to plan and some of it could have been avoided. There were gaping holes in the Queensland Government’s transport plan as thousands found themselves without transport after the opening ceremony and an ungracious spat by Labor politicians about speaking roles at the closing ceremony – at which the athletes themselves were sidelined.
These failures contrast sharply with the competent management of Games projects by the LNP Government from 2012-2015.
I am proud of the role the LNP played in Government to ensure Games infrastructure was completed on time and on budget.
Most of the infrastructure was only delivered on time and on budget – like the stunning Aquatic Centre – because of the careful planning and management undertaken in those years.
The 2018 Commonwealth Games put the Gold Coast on the global map.
The legacy advisory committee will be chaired by my friend, former Premier Rob Borbidge, whose vision saw the M1 built and who I am sure will do a stunning job capitalising on the Games for the Gold Coast.
This youthful city has truly come of age. We showed the world what Queenslanders can do and paved the way for a future Olympics bid.
The Gold Coast must be front and centre if the Olympics do one day come to the southeast.
People in every country on Earth will then see the Gold Coast sparkle.