SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

GC Games bosses want Bolt in 2018

Gold Coast Commonwealth Games organisers say they'll do all they can to try to bring athletics superstar Usain Bolt to the city in 2018.

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Skip to article content

Organisers of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games will do all they can to convince athletics superstar Usain Bolt to extend his career to attend their event.

Bolt made Olympic history on Friday when he claimed his third successive 200m gold medal - the eighth gold medal of his remarkable career.

The 29-year-old has indicated he will retire following the 2017 world championships in London, but Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) chairman Peter Beattie hasn't ruled out luring the Jamaican to change his plans.

Bolt has only once competed in the Commonwealth Games in his career, helping Jamaica win the 4x100m relay as part of a promotional deal involving Virgin Media.

Beattie says whether a similar deal could be struck to bring him Down Under is unknown but organisers will be discussing their options when they meet the Commonwealth Games Federation in October.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

"We'll explore whatever avenues we can to encourage him to come here," Beattie told AAP.

"He'd be a magnet for Queensland. A magnet for the Commonwealth Games."

Beattie says using local athletes such as Olympic champion Sally Pearson to promote the Games will remain GOLDOC's primary focus.

Pearson was appointed as the Games' first official ambassador in July and Beattie says while Bolt's global appeal is obvious, ensuring locals take centre stage is just as vital to the event's legacy.

"We want to make sure we leave a distinctive Gold Coast, Queensland, Australian flavour to the Games," he said.

"That's very important long term for the legacy of the Games."


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world