The Gold Coast City council has launched a new collection with pieces provided by Commonwealth Games Australia to showcase the impact of the Games.

The success of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will be immortalised at one of the Gold Coast’s key sporting venues when a legacy exhibition opens to the public later this month.

The tribute will showcase pivotal moments, memorabilia and memories of the Games with items being provided to the Gold Coast City council by Commonwealth Games Australia.

“The stunning success of the Gold Coast Games demonstrates how the benefits of hosting a major multi-sport Games can have lasting benefits for the community in terms of new facilities and infrastructure that live on well beyond the Games themselves,” Commonwealth Games Australia CEO Craig Phillips AM said.

The Gold Coast Games were the fifth time Australia has hosted the Commonwealth Games and made history becoming the first major multi-sport event that had an equal number of events for male and female athletes.

Over the 11 days of competition, the Games welcomed 1.2 million spectators across 18 sports, saw 6,600 athletes and team officials from across the Commonwealth, with nine world records and 91 Commonwealth records broken, and provided a $1.8 billion economic boost to the Gold Coast economy.

GC2018 generated 21,000 full-time equivalent jobs, was supported by 15,000 volunteers who contributed a collective 880,000 hours of their own time to the event, and provided the catalyst for a 7.3km light rail extension that remains in use today.

One of the legacies of the Gold Coast Games is the light rail which is still in use today. (GC2018 website)

Mayor Tom Tate said the Games had created a lasting legacy that would continue to shape the city for generations to come.

“The Gold Coast benefited from a $1.8 billion economic boost to the local economy, delivering improved road and public transport infrastructure, much needed community and sporting.  infrastructure as well as putting our city on the world stage.

“The investment in our city has placed us in a strong position as we get closer to Brisbane 2032.”

Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games had gone down in history as one of the most inclusive.

“GC2018 saw an equal number of medal events for men and women across all sports,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“The Gold Coast set the template for future Commonwealth Games as the first to fully integrate para-sports into the competition program.

“Another important element of GC2018 was the inclusion of a Reconciliation Action Plan recognising Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

“The Gold Coast Commonwealth Games also helped Queensland secure the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games by demonstrating our commitment to creating a lasting infrastructure legacy and reinforcing the State’s ability to host major international events.

“Jointly funded by Gold Coast City and the Palaszczuk Government, this exhibition celebrates the legacy of the Commonwealth Games in the same venue where gold, silver and bronze medals were won in badminton, weightlifting, para powerlifting and wrestling.”

Environment Minister and Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon said the Gold Coast was still enjoying the benefits of the 2018 Commonwealth Games which set the stage for so many international and high-profile events since then.

“The Commonwealth Games was an exciting time on the Gold Coast and marked its coming of age as an international sports and training mecca,” Ms Scanlon said.

“Gold Coast locals have been left with not just incredible lifelong memories of those two weeks but an ongoing legacy from the venues and other infrastructure created and upgraded for the Games.”

Recent Federal government funding announcements which provide certainty for Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports and athletes through to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games secured high performance programs and Phillips believes having a landmark focus in 2032 allows for even great certainty.

“A Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games allows sports to look beyond the pandemic, to Tokyo, Paris and Los Angeles, and of course Birmingham in 2022 and the 2026 and 2030 Commonwealth Games,’ Phillips said.

“We will continue to work closely with the Australian Olympic Committee, Paralympics Australia, Sport Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport to achieve our common objectives for Australian sport.

“And of course, we would like to host another home Commonwealth Games in 2026 as we all benefit when the green and gold is on show at home.

“A Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics will put a spring in everyone’s step…. and what a perfect way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Brisbane Commonwealth Games.”

With thanks Gold Coast City Council.