Gold Coast in position to make audacious bid for world athletics championships

THE Gold Coast is set to use the Commonwealth Games as a springboard to launch a bold bid for one of the biggest dates on the world athletics calendar.

THE Gold Coast is set to use the Commonwealth Games as a springboard to launch a bold bid for the world athletics championships.

World athletics supremo Sebastian Coe, on the Coast for the Games, met with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk at the weekend to discuss a possible Queensland pitch for the championships.

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Lord Coe, a middle-distance track legend turned British politician and International Association of Athletics Federations president, said yesterday the Coast could be in the running to host the championships as early as 2025.

“We have to be far more strategic about how we grow the sport and where we take it and who we partner with,” he said.

“For us, (it is about) making sure that every time we have a world championships, we are able to take it to a place that is going to drive our sport.”

Carrara stadium looks the part on day one of the athletics at the Commonwealth Games Picture: AFP/Adrian Dennis

Lord Coe supported Brisbane’s unsuccessful bid for the 2011 world athletics championships, which was won by South Korea.

He said the next three championships were already earmarked but the 2025 event was up for grabs.

“It’s important that we reach out and start those discussions now,” he said, adding that the Coast was also a potential host for other major international athletics events.

Commonwealth Games Federation chairman David Grevemberg said the Coast had a proven track record for hosting major sporting events.

Big crowds, like the one ar Carrara on Sunday would go a long way to supporting a bid. Picture: AFP/Adrian Dennis

He said the Commonwealth Games strengthened the Coast’s reputation for putting on “great events”.

Games chairman Peter Beattie said hosting the world athletics championships would not cost “the kitchen sink”.

“It gives you the world exposure and brings many of the same stars as the Olympics at a fraction of the cost,” he said.

“It would encourage a whole new generation.”

Such an event would attract stars like former world champion Yohan Blake (pictured), a Jamaican sprinter who won 100m gold at the 2011 World Championships.

Originally published as Gold Coast in position to make audacious bid for world athletics championships