The Committee chaired by 39-year-old Baildon, who won the 50 and 100 metres freestyle and 100m butterfly at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland, will review the Gold Coast's venue and Athlete's Village plans, support the bid's community engagement programmes and instil enthusiasm among the city's sporting fraternity and community.

"The Committee will be combining their elite sporting expertise to provide advice across a number of areas in the lead up, during and post the Games should Gold Coast City be successful," said Mark Peters, the chief executive of Gold Coast 2018.

"The Advisory Committee representatives will be fundamental in heightening awareness of the bid, assisting with sports development and strengthening the City's position as an international event destination.

"We have so many talented and well known athletes living and training on the Gold Coast, so it makes sense to draw on their expertise."

Baildon has impeccable Gold Coast connections.

He was born in Southport in Queensland and his father Gary is a former Mayor of the Gold Coast.

Baildon, who lit the cauldron in Queensland in the build-up to the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, now runs Andrew Baildon's Superfish Swim Schools in Queensland together with his wife, Karen Wenden, who was voted Miss Universe Miss Photogenic in 1989.

"Having competed in two Commonwealth Games I have a good understanding of what makes an event of this size a great experience for the athletes," said Baildon, who was Australia's team captain at the 1994 Games in Victoria.

"Not only am I looking forward to sharing my knowledge in terms of advice about venues and the Village, I want to get out and help build that excitement and enthusiasm in the community.

"I want the Gold Coast to feel that buzz and really understand what having a Commonwealth Games here would do for sport, industry and the community.

"I think one of the highlights of this role will be visiting some of the schools involved in the 'Adopt a Commonwealth Country' programme and sharing our athletic experiences with the students."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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