The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) today concludes its fifth Coordination Commission (CoCom) meeting on the Gold Coast, Australia, after a week offering support and monitoring progress to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. The CoCom chair, and CGF Vice President Bruce Robertson, said:
“I am confident that the people and partners here on the Gold Coast and in Queensland and Australia will deliver a memorable Games.
“In a few months time, after Rio, all eyes turn to Gold Coast and the Commonwealth Games as the world’s next major multi-sport event. With the building blocks in place, it’s now time to embrace athletes and communities at home and around the Commonwealth and inspire them to be part of the journey to Gold Coast 2018.”
With less than two years to go to the Opening Ceremony, the CoCom focused on progress and integrated planning in a number of areas key to the success of the Games, such as legacy, security and transport. Meetings also took place with Queensland Governor His Excellency Paul de Jersey AC QC, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Minister for Commonwealth Games and Transport Stirling Hinchliffe and Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, whose collaborative approach, legacy commitment and ongoing support will continue to be a key success factor for the Games.
The CoCom was hosted at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (GOLDOC) Headquarters in Ashmore. Commenting on the progress towards the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, Bruce Robertson continued:
“We’ve seen solid progress since our last visit and can start to feel the tangible excitement as part of the countdown to the Games. We’ve confirmed the largest-ever parasport programme in Commonwealth Games history, the addition of Beach Volleyball to the sports programme and enjoyed the Two Years to Go celebrations.
“We are huge fans of Borobi and he will be a wonderful success – demonstrating the potential and power of the Games to inspire children, communities and Commonwealth athletes and teams – whilst promoting Australia and delivering powerful messages about its natural and indigenous heritage to the world.
“The Coordination Commission Members and I have enjoyed meeting the various teams and partners and we hope to visit the other host cities in Brisbane, Townsville and Cairns on our next visit.”
Bruce Robertson thanked the outgoing Chair, Nigel Chamier for his service and welcomed Peter Beattie to the Organising Committee:
“GC2018 under Nigel’s chairmanship has reached a strong position across multiple areas such as venue readiness and commercial partnerships. We’ve enjoyed working with him and truly appreciate his support of the Games movement and his achievements as Chairman at these early, critical stages in the event’s development.
We congratulate Peter on his appointment. We look forward to working with him and to all the partners pulling together under his leadership to oversee a period of unprecedented growth and momentum towards Australia’s largest sporting event this decade.”
The CGF Coordination Commission (CoCom) oversees and ensures compliance with the commitments and undertakings the Games Partners made when they bid for the Games, as featured in the Host City Contract. CoCom members offer extensive technical and Games expertise to ensure the requirements of the athletes and teams are being met and to ensure the Games Time experience and lasting legacy for the people of Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia and the Commonwealth are successfully planned and delivered.
The members of the Gold Coast 2018 Coordination Commission, chaired by Bruce Robertson, are: George Black CBE, formerly Chief Executive of Glasgow City Council; Beng Choo Low, Vice President of the Commonwealth Games Association of Malaysia; David Grevemberg CBE, Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation; and Andrew Ryan, Executive Director of ASOIF (Association of Summer Olympic International Federations). Unfortunately Jake Wilkins, New Zealand Olympic Committee team Services Director, was unable to attend this meeting.
The next Coordination Commission Meeting will be held in early December 2016.
ENDS