Gold Coast Commonwealth Games 2018 journey
Our journey towards GC2018 began in 2008, with preliminary discussions between the Queensland Government, the Australian Commonwealth Games Association and City of Gold Coast. In 2010, the Queensland Premier formally announced the government's intention to bid for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, competing against the Sri Lankan coastal city of Hambantota for the right to host the Games.
Over the next 12 months, the City worked with the Queensland Government to develop the Gold Coast's Commonwealth Games Candidature File. This 220-page 'bid book' contained comprehensive technical information and commitments addressing specific criteria set by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF). The Gold Coast's bid book was officially submitted to the CGF in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in May 2011. Voting delegates from international Commonwealth Games Associations then visited the Gold Coast in the months that followed.
On 12 November 2011, final presentations were made to the Commonwealth Games General Assembly in St Kitts and Nevis by both bid cities, before a vote to decide the next host city. Back home, thousands of Gold Coasters turned out to the Broadwater Parklands to watch live coverage and celebrate as the vote was cast and their city became the host of the 21st Commonwealth Games.
Almost 3 years later, a major milestone was marked for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games when the curtain closed on the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. As part of the closing ceremony, Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate formally accepted the Commonwealth Games Federation Flag. A 10-minute presentation introduced the Gold Coast as the next host city to an estimated global television audience of more than 300 million. Never before had our city reached this level of international exposure and this set the platform for a great Commonwealth Games here on the Gold Coast.
GC2018 was the largest multi-sport spectacle event held in Australia this decade and the first in a regional city. At the closing ceremony, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palazczuk announced that with the staging of the games, Queensland had entered a 'golden age'.
For the history of the Commonwealth Games, visit the Commonwealth Games Federation website, and to explore Australia's involvement, visit the Australian Commonwealth Games Association website.