The rugby team, known as the Wallabies, are in town preparing for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, which begins in September, while the basketball team, who are called the Boomers, are gearing up for next month's London 2012 Olympic Games test event at the Olympic Park in Stratford.

The move follows the US swim team using the city for their Shanghai 2011 World Championship training camp last week and Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke said the visits were further endorsement of the city's sports facilities and its bid to host 2018 Commonwealth Games.

"These are international teams that could prepare anywhere in the world but they've chosen the Gold Coast," said Clarke.

"A lot of work goes on behind the scenes to help secure these training camps.

"Our reputation is certainly growing as an international sporting city and this will hopefully strengthen our bid ahead of November's 2018 Commonwealth Games host city decision.

"Our sporting facilities are world-class and it's exciting to think that the Commonwealth Games would help build on the city's infrastructure that sporting teams visiting us already enjoy."

Boomers coach Brett Brown said his team had long appreciated what the Coast has to offer.

"The Australian Boomers have made the Gold Coast our main training base for a number of years now and we really appreciate the facilities on offer here," he said.

"We enjoy world-class training venues here which ensure our elite athletes get the best possible preparation in the lead-up to London 2012.

"We couldn't be happier with the Gold Coast as our home away from home."

As well as the London 2012 Olympic test event, the Boomers will be competing in September's Oceania championship series Olympic qualifier, while the Wallabies are currently top of the table in the 2011 Tri Nations Series with New Zealand and South Africa also competing.

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