10 fascinating facts about Gold Coast Commonwealth Games

The 2018 Commonwealth Games is all set to commence with a glittering opening ceremony at Gold Coast later in the day. The opening ceremony is scheduled to commence at 3:30 (Indian Standard time).

The multi-sport extravaganza shall be held from April 4-15 on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

India has sent a 227-member athlete contingent with ace shuttler PV Sindhu being the flag-bearer for India at the opening ceremony.

Here are ten interesting facts about 2018 Commonwealth Games

#This edition of the game shall witness 71 countries participating in 18 different sports.

#The motto of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games is “Share the dream.” 

#The mascot of the Gold Coast games is a blue, surfing koala called Borobi. The word ‘borobi’ is an aboriginal term for koala.

#Gold Coast 2018 will also host the biggest para-sport programme in the history of the games

#Gold Coast shall be playing host to 15 of the 18 sports, while the track cycling and shooting competitions will be held in Brisbane

#Hosts Australia shall have 473 athletes competing in this year’s Games with the majority participating in the athletics (109), swimming (70) and cycling (36). 

# 60,000 local and 60,000 international tourists are expected to attend the Commonwealth Games

#Around 1.5 billion people from around the world will tune in to watch the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and the events will be broadcast over the Optus network.

#Australia will become the only country to host the event five times after the conclusion of the Games.

#Australia has held the competition four times in the past in the years 1938, 1962, 1982 and 2006.