Australian Capital Territory - Masters 2003 - media
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Masters Games close on successful note
By Chris Wilson
Monday, 10 November 2003

The 9th Australian Masters Games in Canberra "exceeded expectations" until the very end.

A weary Games chairman Keith Bradley took time to rest and reflect on the "best Games ever" during last night's closing ceremony, attended by almost 3000 people at the Australian Institute of Sport Arena.

"They're up grooving and I'm astounded that they've still got the strength," Mr Bradley said. "There's been a lot of sport over the last nine days but also a lot of partying. I don't know where they get all the energy. But perhaps I'm getting too old."

But you're never too old - that's the motto that attracted more than 10,000 athletes to Canberra to participate in 52 sports.

"I think it exceeded expectations," Mr Bradley said. "Anyone travelling around Canberra in the last nine days would have seen the tremendous enthusiasm and the wonderful atmosphere that was created.

"I've attended many venues and, unless they were just being polite to the chairman, I got nothing but praise. People said it was the best Masters Games they'd been to, there was good humour and great spirit."

Last night's ceremony included the handover of the AMG flag to the 2005 host city, Adelaide. It will be the third time Adelaide has staged the event and Mr Bradley urged Canberra to bid again. "I'd encourage Canberra to consider following Adelaide's example and running a trifecta of Masters Games. I'm a bit weary now, so not just yet.

"I think the success in Canberra has strengthened the Australian Masters Games concept and there'll be an even greater interest from other cities across Australia.

"Cities will bid for the right to host it because it's it's such a financial and community boost." An independent economic impact study would be conducted over the next two weeks. The 1997 event in Canberra, which attracted 8000 participants, contributed $18million to the ACT economy.

"It'll be far in excess of that given we had another 2500 competitors this time around."

More than 2000 volunteers were given a standing ovation by the athletes last night.

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