The 8th biennial Pan Pacific Masters Games on the Gold Coast concluded today with five sports rounding out the record-breaking nine-day program.
Since last Saturday, more than 12,200 participants have taken part across 38 sports to make this year’s Pan Pacific Masters Games the biggest and best in its history.
Today clay target shooting, cycling, lawn bowls, open water swimming and target archery wrapped up the Games, following a massive final night’s entertainment program at the Games Village last night attended by 5,000 Masters revellers.
Events Queensland Gold Coast Chairman Kerry Watson said the number of competitors at this year’s event reaffirmed its status as the biggest biennial masters games in the world.
“This year’s Pan Pacific Masters Games attracted a record of over 12,200 participants, almost a 10 percent increase from the previous Games in 2010,” said Watson.
“As we look toward the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, it is events like the Pan Pacific Masters Games which demonstrate Queensland’s and the Gold Coast’s ability to host quality international sporting events.
“The tourism impact of the event is significant with more than 5,500 competitors from interstate and close to 1,000 from 20 overseas countries. It is estimated to have generated over 80,000 bed nights on the Gold Coast.
“The event not only provided a tremendous contribution for tourism in Queensland but also engaged people from 25 years of age right up into their 90s in sport and healthy lifestyles.”
The youngest competitor at the Games was 25-year-old Amanda Nelson from Maroochydore who won five gold and three silver medals in swimming.
The oldest competitor was 91-year-old Joyce Faunce who also competed in swimming, winning a gold medal in the 50m freestyle.
Three world masters records were set in athletics during the Games.
The 14-year-old world masters record for the men’s 80+ 4x400m relay was broken with the quartet of Richard Hughes from Sydney, David Carr from Perth, George Harrod from Brisbane and Leo Coffey from Melbourne carving almost 28 seconds off the old mark with a new record of 5:32.29.
Two new world marks were set by 85-year-old Heather Lee from Richmond in NSW in the women’s 85+ walking events. Heather set a new record in the 3000m walk of 23:24.89 and backed up by winning the 5000m walk in another world masters record of 40:06.97.
75-year-old Christian Thiess from Torquay in Queensland stole the show at swimming (75-79 age category) this week, setting three national masters records, winning nine gold medals and one relay silver medal in the pool and a gold medal in the open water event.
The Pan Pacific Masters Games showcased both fierce and friendly sporting competition and a unique social element that attracted participants from around Australia and the world.
Calisthenics competitor Sharyn Richter from Adelaide was attending her first Pan Pacific Masters Games.
“It’s been mind blowing and I couldn’t have asked for a better trip,” said Richter.
“I had no idea that it was going to be as good as it has been. It’s indescribable.”
Joe Camilleri, singer/songwriter for The Black Sorrows who performed to a packed house on Wednesday night at the Games Village at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, loved every minute.
“The Pan Pacific Masters Games is a good fun gig to play,” said Camilleri.
“The audience gets right into it and sings along. The event is big and bold and we’re given a really good show to perform.”
Events Queensland Gold Coast General Manager Cameron Hart paid tribute to everyone who has contributed to the success of this year’s event.
“I have been involved with this event since it was established and have attended and studied three World Masters Games,” said Hart.
“In my view this Gold Coast event was probably the best masters games ever conducted.
“There are so many people involved that deserve to be acknowledged including our competitors, officials, sport convenors, volunteers, supporters, sponsors, entertainers, ambassadors, spectators, medical officers and my staff.”
Attention now turns to the inaugural Great Barrier Reef Masters Games in Cairns, Queensland from 9-11 August next year, with the 9th Pan Pacific Masters Games set for November 2014.
The new scheme was born here and filagra this is not anything that we would like to see. Caverta although better in some elements but not significant for us.
