Gold medal performance from Sunshine Coast
- Written by Nicole McNaughton
With the 2018 Commonwealth Games only one day away, more than 500 athletes and officials from nine countries have been treated to a gold medal welcome by the Sunshine Coast region as they have prepared for Commonwealth glory.
Along with their coaches, officials and supporters, the athletes have taken full advantage of the Sunshine Coast’s premier sports training facilities and accommodation, reinforcing the region’s reputation as a destination of choice for high-performance sports training.
Thousands of Coast residents attended a special Festival of Champions event featuring the visiting teams and local Commonwealth Games athletes at Cotton Tree Park and there have been big turnouts at practice matches in sports such as beach volleyball, hockey and lawn bowls.
Tourism, Sport and Major Events Portfolio Councillor Jason O’Pray said he had been thrilled with the warm reception the Sunshine Coast community had given its more than 500 visitors.
“We are so proud to be playing host to the largest number of Commonwealth teams of any Australian region ahead of the Games,” Cr O’Pray said.
“Sporting associations from overseas put a lot of time and resources into choosing the best possible pre-Games location for their athletes so for our region to get the nod from such a large number of teams is testament to quality of the facilities we have on offer.”
“The feedback from the teams on our welcoming community has been extraordinary and certainly has created a lasting impression of our region with our visitors.”
“This pre-Commonwealth Games activity is part of a wider strategy to make our region a destination of choice for top-level sporting events, teams and individuals.”
Team Scotland training camp manager Vicky Strange said the Sunshine Coast had provided a great range of facilities and the ideal environment to ensure athletes would be well prepared for the Games.
“The willingness to support us has been very encouraging and we are so grateful to the people and facilities we have been given access to,” Ms Strange said.
“Money can’t buy the experiences we have had and the value it has provided to our athletes is fantastic.”
Wales swim team manager Julie Morgan described the Coast’s facilities as some of the best she has trained at.
“The facilities have been brilliant and we can’t fault the welcome we have received. Our team is well prepared for the Games,” Ms Morgan said.
Chef de Mission for Team Saint Helena Nick Stevens said he had been impressed with the Sunshine Coast’s first-class facilities and beautiful surrounds.
“It has been absolutely brilliant – our training camp has been what we hoped for and more,” Mr Stevens said.
“Training here has helped our prospects and we expect our athletes will do so much better after being afforded the opportunity to hone their skills here on the Sunshine Coast.”
Sunshine Coast Grammar School principal Maria Woods said welcoming the Saint Helena swimmers to her school and its newly opened world-class swimming facilities had been a highlight for the year.
“The children have loved showcasing their new swimming facilities to elite athletes,” Mrs Woods said.
“It has been a great opportunity for our community to engage and experience all of the excitement of the upcoming Commonwealth Games.”
