(ATR) When the Commonwealth Games descend upon Australia’s Gold Coast in exactly one year’s time, significant innovations to the sports programming will be one of its most important legacies.
The Games will break ground as the first major multi-sport event to have an equal number of men’s and women’s medal events.
Women’s rugby sevens has been added to the competition program, as well as several additional events in weightlifting, boxing and cycling – bringing an even spread of medals in men’s and women’s events.
"There are many things we are proud of with these Games but the equal number of events for men and women is really good," GC2018 Chairman Peter Beattie said.
"We have set a standard and we are very proud of that. I would be very disappointed if the Olympics didn’t have gender equity in the future.
"Women’s sport will do amazingly well here and that is great for sport in general. Women are more than half the population, and they are more than just spectators."
GC2018 will also endeavor to deliver one of the most inclusive Games, with the largest integrated Para-Sport program in Commonwealth Games history.
"It’s incredibly important for the Paralympic movement for us to be acknowledged as equal and at the same level as our Olympic counterparts," Paralympic summer and winter medalist Jessica Gallagher said.
A record seven Para-Sports (athletics, cycling, lawn bowls, powerlifting, swimming and triathlon) will be part of the Commonwealth Games, with up to 300 athletes contesting 38 medal events. An increase of 45 percent more athletes and 73 percent more medals compared to the Para-Sport competition staged at the last Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014.
"To have such a large Para-Sport program, really gives Australians the opportunity to see first-hand just how world class our Paralympic athletes are and gives exposure to kids with disabilities who may not have really seen sport like this before," Gallagher said.
"On a world stage, on home soil, and integrated into the able-bodied events - it will be really special."
The Para-Sport program was developed by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and GC2018 in consultation with the International Paralympic Committee and Commonwealth Games Australia to showcase the best Para-Sport in the Commonwealth. Para-Triathlon will make its anticipated debut and the first ever wheelchair marathon (T54) at a Commonwealth Games will also bring Para-Sport to the next level, showcasing it on the streets and throughout the community of the Gold Coast.
Written by Alice Wheelerin Gold Coast.
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