Spotlight On The Coast As City Takes Games Reigns

The international spotlight has shone on the Gold Coast with the city officially taking the reigns as the next Commonwealth Games host.

The 2014 Glasgow Games wound up on August 3 and the world turned to the Gold Coast during the official Flag Handover Ceremony.

Aussie icons surfer Mick Fanning, champion hurdler Sally Pearson and entertainer Jessica Mauboy led a star-studded line up as the Coast officially took the Games baton from the Scottish host city.

With 1340 days until the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey said the Flag Handover Ceremony marked the exciting next phase in the countdown to the Games.

“This was ‘our’ part of the Closing Ceremony – the Flag was passed from Glasgow to the Gold Coast and the world turned their eyes to Queensland’s Gold Coast and our unique tourism and trade opportunities,” Ms Stuckey said.

“The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will deliver social and economic benefits for Queensland and create up to 30,000 jobs.”

Andrew Bell, CEO of Ray White Surfers Paradise and Chairperson for the Gold Coast Business & Community Committee which successfully secured the hosting rights to the 2018 Commonwealth Games, said the handover was a major milestone in the city’s progression towards 2018.

“Around one billion people tuned in to watch the Flag Handover Ceremony – a huge international audience which was just a taste of what’s to come in four years’ time,” he said.

“Now it’s up to the Gold Coast to really get behind the Games and make it a show-stopping event Australia can be proud of.”

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will take place from April 4-15, 2018.