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The Gold Coast has been awarded the right to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The announcement was made this morning after voting at the Commonwealth Games Federation's General Assembly in St Kitts.

The Gold Coast bid, which saw off a strong challenge from the Sri Lankan city of Hambantota, was backed by Australian sporting, cultural and entertainment heavyweights.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh, Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Bid Chairman and Commonwealth Games and Olympic medalist Mark Stockwell, Bid Executive Director and Commonwealth and Olympic Games Gold medalist Glynnis Nunn Cearns, and Bid President and Commonwealth Games and Olympic representative Sam Coffa were also in attendance at the announcement.

After the announcement, a delighted Premier Bligh stated "congratulations to the Gold Coast, to Queensland and Australia - we did it. We get up again!

"Our united community welcomes these games (and) in 2018 we will be ready to host a unique world- class and friendly event that builds on the Commonwealth brand and enhances our city's reputation.

"This city will be transformed with new infrastructure and a buzz that only a big international event like this can bring."

Premier Bligh said the Games could generate up to $2 billion in economic benefit with up to 30,000 full time-equivalent jobs created between 2015 and 2020.

Over $500 million will now be invested on sport and transport infrastructure as a direct result of the successful bid.

Premier Bligh said the successful bid to host the games would mean infrastructure upgrades including: 

• Increasing the capacity of Metricon stadium from 25,000 to 40,000 seats; 
• New badminton and mountain bike facilities; 
• A world class squash complex; 
• Development of the Coomera Sports and Leisure Centre; and.
• Upgrades to the Broadbeach Bowls Club, Gold Coast Hockey Centre and the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre.

Premier Bligh added "these games will bring superb tourism opportunities for the Gold Coast and for Queensland (and) act as a catalyst to fast track infrastructure development. 

"We will see new sporting facilities, improved transport and a new Health and Knowledge precinct adjacent to the $1.76 billion Gold Coast University Hospital.

"We have made a promise to the Commonwealth Games Federation and will deliver on this promise."

The Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) concurs that hosting the 2018 Commonwealth Games will deliver economic, social and infrastructure benefits to the Gold Coast, with Chief Executive John Lee saying

"While it will utilise existing infrastructure, including Metricon Stadium and the Gold Coast Convention Centre, the event will also leave the Gold Coast with a substantial legacy in the form of an upgraded aquatic centre and hockey centre, and a new multi-purpose indoor sports and entertainment venue at Coomera.

"This announcement also provides a timeline for the delivery of these projects, along with an incentive for further investment by the private sector."

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) have also announced that Malaysia's Tunku Imran has replaced Michael Fennell as its President, the first change in the CGF's top position in 17 years.

63-year-old Imran has been the CGF Vice President for 11 years. Imran, a former Malaysian national squash champion, is also a member of International Olympic Committee member and has been a two-time executive board member of the International Cricket Council.

Imran says "I'm absolutely delighted and proud to be the seventh president of the Commonwealth Games Federation," adding that "(I am) looking forward to ... building on Mike's legacy."

The 76-year-old Fennell, who has overseen four Commonwealth Games, will become the Federation's life Vice President.

In other overnight event hosting news, the Qatari capital of Doha has lost out its bid to host the 2017 World Athletics Championships. World athletics governing body IAAF awarded the event to London. 

23rd October 2011 - FIBA WELCOMES BASKETBALL’S INCLUSION IN GOLD COAST COMMONWEALTH GAMES BID

22nd June 2011 - GOLD COAST COMMONWEALTH GAMES BID UNDER SCRUTINY

16th June 2011 - $60 MILLION FOR GOLD COAST SHOW RELOCATION

9th April 2011 - QUEENSLAND LEADERS TO LODGE COMMONWEALTH GAMES BID 

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