GC2018 countdown clock strikes two years to go

This Monday 4 April will see the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games™(GC2018) countdown clock strike just two years to go until Queensland’s Gold Coast transforms into the stage for the XXI Commonwealth Games – the largest in the event’s history.

From 4 – 15 April 2018 the Gold Coast and event cities of Brisbane, Townsville and Cairns will welcome 6,600 athletes and team officials from 71 nations and territories to compete in 18 sports and seven para-sports across 11 days of exhilarating competition.

And with two years to go the event city is gearing up to play host to some of the world’s best athletes and visitors from every corner of the globe.

With Beach Volleyball added to the sports program and the event now boasting the largest para-sport program in Commonwealth Games history, GC2018 is well on its way to delivering an inclusive and once in a lifetime experience for all.

The year ahead is marked with key milestones including the announcement of the first official GC2018 Ambassadors and the development of the Queen’s Baton. The Baton reveal is scheduled for late 2016.

Three new venues that will host GC2018 sports are on track for completion before the end of the year, with the Carrara Sport and Leisure Centre, the Coomera Indoor Sports Centre and Queensland’s first indoor Velodrome in Brisbane delivering an early legacy and an opportunity for use ahead of the Games.

The super sound stage at Oxenford’s Studios that will host the Squash competition is almost complete and given it is the largest sound stage in Australia will be a great asset to help attract big-budget blockbuster films productions to Queensland in the future.

In 2016 the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) team will grow from currently 255 to more than 300 employees by December, on a rapid trajectory to more than 1,000 by 2018.

And as the team expands so too does the list of sponsors joining the GC2018 sponsor family.

TAFE Queensland have recently joined official partners Jupiters and Griffith University with specialist accountant and law firms KPMG and MinterEllison on board as Official Supporters, alongside SEEK, the Official Recruitment Advertiser of GC2018, GOLDOC and the Australian Commonwealth Games Team.

Brisbane-based Centium Software was also recently announced as an Official Supplier to GC2018.

With the clock ticking louder each day the Games is well and truly on track with GOLDOC and its Games Delivery Partners looking forward to sharing the dream on the journey to 2018.

Ends

Queensland Minister for the Commonwealth Games, The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe

"In two years from today, spectators from around the globe will watch the Opening Ceremony to mark the start of 11 days of world-class sporting competition on the Gold Coast," Mr Hinchliffe said.

"The two-year mark is a key milestone in the countdown and with 18 sports and seven para-sports in 2018, we’re going for gold to ensure the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will be a record-breaking success.

"With only two years to go, excitement is building across Queensland and our venues are on track to be Games-ready a full one year ahead of the Opening Ceremony on 4 April 2018.

"The Commonwealth Games will be the biggest sporting event in Australia this decade and will deliver great benefits to the state, injecting $2 billion into the economy and supporting up to 30,000 jobs."

Commonwealth Games Federation President, Louise Martin CBE

"This is such an exciting moment for the athletes and communities of Gold Coast, Queensland and Australia as the attention now turns from planning to delivering the Games.

"This brings inclusive opportunities for all to engage with one of the world’s greatest festivals of sport, from volunteering to business contracts, meeting the new mascot or carrying the Queen’s Baton - and I hope all citizens will make the most of their Games and get involved."

City of Gold Coast Mayor, Tom Tate

"This milestone reminds us all that we will soon be on the world stage.

"I’m confident we are on track to host a great event. As Mayor, I have focused heavily on legacy benefits and I see them starting to come to fruition with brand new sporting facilities nearing completion, city-wide beautification activities underway, local readiness initiatives in progress and a much stronger cultural program.

"Tomorrow, it’ll be only 729 days to go.’’

GOLDOC Chairman, Nigel Chamier AM

"What an exciting milestone for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, GOLDOC and our Games Delivery partners.

"Our planning to deliver this event is progressing incredibly well. We have made significant announcements in the past few weeks that mean GC2018 will be the biggest in the history of the Commonwealth Games.

"We will set the benchmark for future Games in terms of our sport program and in the ‘Year of an inclusive Commonwealth’ we are so proud to confirm we will deliver the biggest para-sport program ever.

"We encourage everyone to embrace the opportunities GC2018 will bring and enjoy the many occasions where we can celebrate this unique and once in a lifetime journey," Mr Chamier said.

Australian Commonwealth Games President, Sam Coffa AM JP

"The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games is shaping up to be another extraordinary event that all Australians can be proud of.

"This is a window of opportunity for this nation to step onto the world stage and showcase our ability to put on a great show with something for everyone to enjoy – sport, arts, culture and a wonderful destination. As a demonstration of our sporting prowess, we look forward to the Australian Team returning to #1 on the medal tally.

"There is no time to lose - 4 April 2018 will be upon us in no time and I am very confident that the continued cooperation of the Games delivery partners will see Australia’s first ever hosting of a Commonwealth Games in a regional city as an event that major multi-sport Games around the world will look to emulate for many years to come."

For more information please visit: brand.gc2018.com, register your details and access a comprehensive media kit of materials or contact:

Tamara Morris

Manager Communication and Media

Mob: 0400 658 429

Wayne Hickson

Program Manager Communication and Media

Mob: 0407 028 917

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