Qld: World flags given to Australia for Goodwill Games

AAP General News (Australia)
08-25-2001
Qld: World flags given to Australia for Goodwill Games

BRISBANE, Aug 25 AAP - Flags from the 69 countries competing in the Goodwill Games
were handed to Queensland Premier Peter Beattie today to mark the first time the Games
have been held outside Russia or the United States.

Goodwill Games Inc president Mike Plant presented the flags to Mr Beattie at Southbank,
in Brisbane city.

"The presentation of the flags signifies the unification of all people from around
the world in this sporting competition," Mr Beattie said.

Mr Beattie also opened an Indigenous Pavilion in the Global Village set up at Southbank
after a traditional smoking ceremony by indigenous dancers.

"I passionately believe that indigenous art is an enormous opportunity not only for
the artists but community to develop self-esteem," he said.

Meanwhile, Goodwill Games 2001 chief executive officer Campbell Rose said he was pleased
with ticket sales even though about 140,000 remained unsold.

"Well over 200,000 tickets have been sold, which is in excess of 70 per cent," he said.

"In some sports there are more tickets remaining than in others."

Mr Rose said ticket sales for the games were already in the black and he was confident
the event would not lose money.

"We still need to maintain our expenditure profit, but I am confident we will do that," he said.

The Goodwill Games Opening Gala will be held on Tuesday evening with sporting competition
to start on Wednesday.

AAP nr/apm

KEYWORD: GOOD FLAGS

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