Sally Pearson Appointed as first official GC2018 Ambassador

Australian track queen Sally Pearson OAM was announced today as the first official ambassador of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) at a public function on the Gold Coast beachfront.

The popular announcement was made by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk MP beside the GC2018 Surfers Paradise Countdown Clock at a presentation hosted by Olympic and Commonwealth Games swimming champion Brooke Hanson OAM.

Gold Coast resident, Pearson is best known for her stunning achievements as a world, Olympic and dual Commonwealth Games hurdles gold medallist.

She has had a close association with GC2018 since development of the successful bid in 2011 and played a starring role in the flag handover during the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games closing ceremony. Pearson is the first of a select group of high profile figures who will assist the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) with promotion of the 4-15 April 2018 Games to Australia and the rest of the world. As the first GC2018 Ambassador, Pearson was presented with a commemorative surfboard – an iconic keepsake of the Gold Coast lifestyle.

"I’m thrilled to have officially joined the Gold Coast 2018 family to help get people all over the world as excited as I am about this magnificent event," Pearson said.

"The Commonwealth Games is an amazing experience for athletes and spectators, and in 2018 it will be the Gold Coast, my home town, showcased to the world," Pearson added.

"Winning Olympic gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games was a special moment, missing Rio (2016 Olympic Games) is definitely one of those low points, but I’m focused on giving myself the best opportunity to compete at a home Games," Pearson said.

"Sally is a shining light of athletics in this country and her well-documented achievements on the track are matched only by the personal initiative she has taken in recent years to be an exceptional mentor of young talent," Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

Pearson’s role will be to tell the world about the Games – to enthuse them to come to experience the magnificent festival of sport, culture and friendship that only a Commonwealth Games can deliver.

"She is a quintessential Gold Coaster, a champion on the world stage and an ideal role model for a Commonwealth Games," GOLDOC CEO Mark Peters said.