One week to go, one week until the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) takes centre stage – it’s almost time for TeamAUS to shine.
GC2018 will commence with the Opening Ceremony on Wednesday 4 April 2018, with competition beginning on Thursday 5 April 2018, continuing for 11 days until the Closing Ceremony on the evening of Sunday 15 April.
Australia will field a team of 473 athletes competing across 20 sports, many will be seeking to win one or more of the 825 medals on offer, while others will be at least hoping they can leave the Gold Coast with a personal best performance.
Carrara Stadium will be the centre stage for glamour and entertainment as the venue for the Opening Ceremony – which will mark the beginning of the biggest event Australia has seen this decade, and the largest sporting event the Gold Coast has ever hosted. The Ceremony will showcase our culture, colour, unity and diversity and will epitomise the spirit of our great nation.
Most of the sporting venues are located within the Gold Coast city region, with shooting and cycling (track) events held in Brisbane, approximately 70 kilometres north of the Commonwealth Games Village, and preliminary matches of the Men’s and Women’s Basketball competition held in Cairns and Townsville.
Some interesting facts about Australia’s 2018 Commonwealth Games Team:
- The official Australian Team is made up of 473 athletes; 237 males & 236 females across 20 sports. QLD = 119, Vic = 114, TAS = 10, WA = 50, ACT = 19 , SA = 43, NSW = 118.
- A total of 61 para-athletes have been named in the Australian team, set to compete as part of the largest integrated para-sport program in Commonwealth Games history with 38 medal events across seven para-sports.
- After smashing the world record in the 50m freestyle for the 100-104 age group at the 2018 Australian Swim Trials, 99 year old George Corones was announced as the honorary 474rd and final selection
- Australia’s youngest athlete, at a tender 13 years of age, is swimmer Jasmine Greenwood, born 13 October 2004
- Australia’s oldest athlete at 68 years old, is Kenneth Hanson, member of the Lawn Bowls team, born 21 November 1949
- The team member who has competed at the most Commonwealth Games is shooter Bruce Quick (1990, 1998-2018)
- 20 Australian athletes will celebrate their birthdays whilst at the Games! Happy Birthday to all!
Follow TeamAUS!
Limited tickets are still available! To be there for the ground breaking moments head to www.gc2018.com/tickets
Follow us on our social channels to keep up to date with the latest news and results: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and use the hashtags #TeamAUS #GC2018
The Australian Team microsite, containing overviews of each sport as well as athlete biographies, will soon be available at http://commonwealthgames.com.au/