Qatar Looks to Australian Expertise in Major Sporting Events

LONDON, August 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

HE Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Secretary General Qatar Olympic Committee, was among the important international guests of Australian High Commissioner to the UK, HE John Dauth AO LVO and Australia's Sports Minister, Kate Lundy at a recent event in London showing how Australian businesses can continue to assist Qatar and other nations with Major Sporting Events (MSEs).

Other high profile attendees from Qatar at the event held at Australia House in London included Mr Khaleel Al Jaber of the Qatar Olympic Committee and Mr Adel Mohammed Al Baker, Secretary General of the Qatar Athletics Federation, alongside Executive Director Mr Khalifa Abdulmalek and Board member Mr Mohamed Suleiman.  They were joined by Mr Abdulaziz Al Mahmoud, Director General, Aspire Logistics.

Since Sydney 2000, Australia has been the go-to nation for those bidding for and hosting MSEs.  It is a title the country is keen to retain as others enter the race in an industry set to top US$145.3 billion by 2015, with growth forecast at 3.7 per cent.  The high-level reception at the Australian High Commission marked the start of a global campaign showcasing the country's unrivalled experience to representatives of countries like Qatar who are bidding for or hosting MSEs over the next decade.

CEO of the Australian Trade Commission, Peter Grey, said: "Australia has long demonstrated world-leading expertise across a range of sectors and in all four key stages of the 10-year MSE life-cycle:  Bid; Build; Implement; and Legacy.  Now we're pooling our know-how and in-market capability to give event organisers and host governments everything they need to create the next generation of premier major sporting events."

The reception saw VIPs and decision-makers from future host countries and cities mix with some of the Australian businesses and specialists at the forefront of MSE planning, organisation and delivery.  80 are named in a new directory - Track Record - launched by the Australian Government.

Over the past 12 years those behind the success of the 'Millennium Games' have lent their creativity, innovation and technical expertise to every subsequent Olympics, along with other MSEs including FIFA and Rugby World Cups, and Commonwealth, Pan Am and Asian Games.  Contributions span support for the successful Athens 2004, Torino 2006, Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016 bids, to leading roles in torch relays, opening ceremonies and iconic design such as China's 'Watercube'.  

The centrepiece of the opening ceremony in London, the Olympic Stadium itself, is among a growing list of Australia's MSE credentials which also features the Athletes' Village and mobilisation of some 70,000 volunteer 'Games Makers' in the UK Capital.  More than 50 Australian MSE specialists have contributed to the world's biggest sports event in London.

Track Record is free to download from the Business section of the App Store and through the Android Market. Stories of some firms featured can be found in a special edition of the free Australia Unlimited iPad App, available at the App Store.