Commonwealth Games 2018 on budget — Organisers

BRISBANE, Austral ia: Organisers said Sunday the preparations for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games were on time and on budget with 500 days to go unti l the 70 - nation sports event in Australia.

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwe a l t h Game s Corporat ion ( GOLDOC) chairman Peter Beattie said all venues for the multi- sport event scheduled for April 4-15 2018 were 12 months ahead of schedule.

“This has been a huge year for GC2018 and it’s exciting to think that there are just 500 days until we shine on the world stage and welcome friends from across the Commonwealth to experience an unforgettable Games,” Beattie said in a statement.

“The progress is highlighted by the reality that all GC2018 venue s for Aus t r a l i a’s biggest multi- sport event this decade will be delivered at least 12 months ahead of schedule.”

Major achievements on the road to 2018 include the completion of construction of three new venues - - the Anna Meares Velodrome in Brisbane, the Coomera Indoor Sports Centre and Sound Stage 9 at Oxenford Village.

The Queen’s Baton Relay wil l begin at Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth D a y, M a r c h 13 next year.

From London, the baton wi l l travel through all 70 nations and territories and every state and territory of Australia over 388 days. — AFP