2018 Invictus Games - Queensland Bid

[ozbob]

Invictus Games --> https://invictusgamesfoundation.org/

The Invictus Games use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for wounded, injured and sick Servicemen and women.

Following the inaugural Invictus Games in 2014, the Invictus Games Foundation has been set up to develop this legacy, manage the process of selecting the hosts of future games and oversee their delivery.

Following the second Invictus Games in Orlando, Florida, the Invictus story will continue and the 2017 Invictus Games will take place in Toronto, Canada from 24 - 30 September 2017.

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2016/8/8/queensland-makes-play-for-invictus-games

Media Statements
JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Minister for Education and Minister for Tourism and Major Events
The Honourable Kate Jones

Monday, August 08, 2016

Queensland makes play for Invictus Games

The Palaszczuk Government is targeting more major events for Queensland after securing new and renewed events expected to reap $391 million in economic impact and 265,000 new visitors to the State.

Speaking from the State's original major event the Royal Queensland Show ("the Ekka"), Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Tourism and Major Events Minister Kate Jones confirmed the Government, fresh from the success of major event coups in recent weeks, was bidding for the Invictus Games in 2018.

"In the last month, we have confirmed Queensland will host the Rugby League World Cup semi-final and final and Brisbane Global Tens, we have re-signed the V8 Supercars and have marked milestones for the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in April 2018," the Premier said.

"I can confirm today we are bidding for the Invictus Games for October 2018.

"These Games, first held in London in 2014, are helping inspire recovery and rehabilitation for wounded servicemen and women around the world.

"The Gold Coast is the perfect event destination and following the Commonwealth Games in 2018 we will have the infrastructure we need in place to host the Invictus Games.

The Premier said the Invictus Games was a seven-day, 11-sport event for serving and former serving wounded, injured and ill servicemen and women from 16 different nations.

"Representatives of the Invictus Games Foundation will be inspecting venues on the Gold Coast this week," the Premier said.

"By renewing existing events and attracting new ones, we can bring more visitors to Queensland filling our hotels, restaurants and shops.

"We estimate more than 260,000 visitors and close to $400 million in economic boost from the events we have secured or renewed."

Ms Jones said under the Palaszczuk Government, Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) had secured major new events for to Queensland including:

-       Brisbane Global Tens from 2017 to 2020;

-       Rugby League World Cup pool games in Cairns and Townsville, a semi-final and the final in Brisbane in 2017;

-        Ballet Preljocaj in Brisbane in 2016;

-        ITU World Triathlon Series Grand Final and Age Group World Championships on the Gold Coast in 2018;

-        Medieval Power: Symbols and Splendour international exclusive exhibition in Brisbane in 2015-16;

-        World Bowls Championships on the Gold Coast in 2020; and

-       World Science Festival from 2016-18 in Brisbane.

Ms Jones said the Palaszczuk Government's four-year funding approach allowed TEQ to market Queensland destinations and attract the best events to the state over the long-term.

"We want to secure those events that bring more visitors to Queensland, grow our economy, support jobs, boost our profile around the world and foster community pride in Queensland," she said.

"Our four-year, $400 million investment is already delivering results with record numbers of visitors coming to Queensland in the last 12 months.

"We know every dollar invested in major events returns $15 back to our economy."

In addition, TEQ has renewed a number of key events, over the last 18 months, including:

-       Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville 2015-17;

-       Great Barrier Reef Mast Games in Cairns in 2015; and

-       V8 Supercars – Castrol Gold Coast 600 and the Castrol EDGE Townsville 400 from 2017-19.

The IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Championship has been secured for three years (2016-2018) as an extension to the Cairns Airport Adventure Festival.

The Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo has been elevated to Queensland's major event calendar in recognition of its continued growth and contribution to the State's tourism industry.

Ms Jones said TEQ's It's Live in Queensland major event calendar delivered $460 million of economic impact to the State.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Queensland to bid for 2018 Invictus games

Queensland will bid to host Prince Harry's Invictus games in 2018.

Major events minister Kate Jones has announced the state will seek to host the event on the Gold Coast using venues currently under construction for the Commonwealth Games, which will also be held in 2018 ...

... Invictus means "unconquered" and the Invictus Games is an emerging world-wide sports event for injured armed services personnel.

Prince Harry came up with the United Kingdom's concept after seeing the United States-based Warrior Games when he toured the United States in 2013.

The Warrior Games featured five U.S. teams representing the Army, Marine Corps, Navy/Coast Guard, Air Force and Special Operations.

The first Invictus Games were held in London in 2014 and attracted 400 competitors from 13 countries over four days.

The 2018 Invictus Games anticipates events over seven days with athletes from 16 countries.

[ozbob]

The Gold Coast's bid the host the 2018 Invictus Games is steaming ahead. #7News #GoldCoast
 https://t.co/QKWpulTSuD

— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) August 9, 2016

[BrizCommuter]

Medieval Power event? Is that showcasing Brisbane's Medieval public transport system?

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Invictus Games officials tour Gold Coast