O'Sullivan paid tribute to Glasgow and how its people embraced this year's Games and made them one  of the most successful in history and called on the people of Gold Coast to do the same.

"What was really interesting to me out of Glasgow was that the city made the Games in Glasgow," O'Sullivan, a former student at the Griffith Business School in Gold Coast, told the Gold Coast Bulletin

"The Gold Coast has the potential for the city to make the event - the Gold Coast has such a great opportunity to really boost the reputation of the event because it's such a fantastic location."

Widely regarded as a huge success, Glasgow 2014 was described as "the best Games ever" by Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) President Prince Imran in his Closing Ceremony address at Hampden Park earlier this month. 

A survey of 20,000 spectators, carried out by organisers of Glasgow 2014  claimed that 91 per cent of fans were satisfied with the event, commonly described as "fantastic, exciting and fun" while 86 per cent of people would welcome future big events in Glasgow.

The Commonwealth Games Federation Flag has arrived in the Gold Coast following the conclusion of Glasgow 2014 ©Gold Coast 2018



O'Sullivan, who spent six years as chief commercial officer with the Football Federation of Australia before a stint as chief operating officer at Fox Sports, believes Gold Coast can achieve a similar level of success by harnessing its people also.

"You're now the host city, you now own this event," he said.

"People need to really embrace it, and think of how they can use it - big events have a transformative effect on cities who host them."

Australia last hosted the Games in 2006 in Melbourne and 2018 will be the fifth time the event will take place in the country.

Gold Coast, situated on the Queensland coast, is one of Australia's most iconic tourist destinations.

It was awarded the Games at the 2011 CGF General Assembly in St Kitts and Nevis beating off its only rival Hambantota of Sri Lanka.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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