THE official opening for the Great Western Games was held in the Buchanan Park arena shortly before the PBR was scheduled to begin.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ambassador for the games, former Olympic Gold medallist Jon Sieben, was among representatives to launch the games. His victory in the 200 metre Butterfly at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics was also shown on the arena’s projector during the official launch.
Mount Isa State MP Rob Katter gave a speech following the shown footage of Sieben’s success, saying that he recalled watching that race as a child.
Mr Katter said that North West Queensland had many things to be proud of in its history. “Sports have to be a standout in our area,” Mr Katter said.
“Despite what happens in the mines, whether they are up or down, there’s hundreds of kids on the sporting field.”
Mr Katter congratulated locals such as Gecko Outdoor Sports’ owner Alison Whitehead, who recited the games marshall’s oath at the opening. Mr Katter said people such as Ms Whitehead contributed to developing sports in the area. “They are the reason why we’re creating so many champions in the west,” he said.
The Great Western Games includes 23 sports between Mount Isa and Charters Towers and is sponsored by Glencore and the Mount Isa City Council.
Glencore representative Maryanne Wipaki noted the high calibre of athletes that the region had influenced including Greg Norman and Pat Rafter.
The company hoped to see further development of sporting talent come from the region, she said.
Sieben joined North Queensland Sports Foundation chief executive Stephen Farrell on a road trip from Townsville on Friday. They attended presentations for involved sports including clay target shooting in Cloncurry, and hockey, judo and the Moondarra Dash and Dawdle in Mount Isa.
Sieben was overhead giving swimming tips to Cloncurry juniors.
“A lot of people say practice makes perfect. Well, I say perfect practice makes perfect.
“If you encourage bad habits then bad habits creep in,” he said.