THE Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games represents an enormous opportunity for the city, according to Griffith University Vice Chancellor Professor Ian O’Connor.
“Everyone involved in the bid process, stretching back almost four years now, should be congratulated,” Professor O’Connor said.
The Gold Coast was today announced as the host city of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
The economic and social impetus the Games announcement will give the Gold Coast cannot be overstated, he said. The Gold Coast Bid outlines more than $2 billion worth of facilities and infrastructure that will be built citywide for the event.
“It is an enormous boost to the city’s economy and sense of community but also to its already impressive sporting credentials.”
“Griffith University will be integrally tied to the process leading up to 2018.
“As a university we have a particularly global view and the internationalism that the Commonwealth Games brings suits a multi-disciplinary university like Griffith.
“We see levels of involvement across our campuses through our expertise in Tourism, Sport Management, Business, Health Sciences, Environment , International Relations and others.
“There really is no part of such an event that Griffith University won’t have an interest in.”
Griffith University has commissioned a three-month study to determine the Games’ long- term impact on the University and to identify areas of opportunity to assist.
Professor O’Connor said this was aside from the university’s participation in the future of the Health and Knowledge Precinct adjacent to the Gold Coast campus, which the State Government has earmarked for the Athletes Village for 2018. It will be home to 6500 athletes while the Games are on.
He also paid tribute to Griffith Business School graduate Sara Carrigan , known to most as an Australian cycling gold medallist, who accompanied the bid team to St Kitts and Nevis during the week to help lobby for delegates’ votes.