Queensland’s original Commonwealth games venues are once again hosting the world’s greatest athletes, with the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) now underway. Minister for Sport Mick de Brenni said both the purpose-built Sleeman Sports Complex (SSC) and the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre (QSAC), which hosted events for the 1982 Commonwealth Games are still in regular use today, more than 35 years later.
“These two venues were built more than 35 years ago, but they’ve stood the test of time,” Mr. de Brenni commented “Nearly a million athletes use these facilities every year, from grassroots sport right through to elite levels. Just imagine the volume of people that will benefit from the infrastructure that’s been delivered through GC2018.” Mr. de Brenni said the Sleeman Sports Complex would become a two-time Commonwealth Games venue, with the Anna Meares Velodrome hosting the Track Cycling event from 5 to 8 April.

“I had the opportunity to ride around the Velodrome last year, and it’s truly a top-class facility,” Mr. de Brenni commented “The Velodrome recently hosted the National Championships, as well as the English and Japanese National Team’s Training Camps. The Australian Swimming Team has also been using the Brisbane Aquatic Centre at SSC for their training in the lead up to the Games. Local swimmers Cameron McEvoy, the Campbell sisters and Emily Seebohm will lead a 40-strong Queensland contingent competing for Australia in the pool.” The Minister added.
Mr. de Brenni went on to explain that the QSAC also hosted local and international athletes ahead of CG2018 on its recently resurfaced State Athletics Facility (SAF) track and Main Track. The Minister added that the recent upgrades put Queensland ahead of the pack, with QSAC the only facility in Australia which has two 400m ten lane tracks co-located at the one venue.