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Adelaide to Host World Life Saving Championships

16th June 2009

The International Life Saving Federation today announced that Adelaide will host the World Life Saving Championships in 2012.

Minister for Recreation, Sport & Racing Michael Wright said the World Life Saving Championships, Rescue 2012, will be a major event for Adelaide that will provide a significant boost to the South Australian economy.

"The World Championships is the largest international lifesaving event in the world," says Minister Wright.

"More than 4,000 competitors and officials plus thousands of spectators are expected to travel to Adelaide from across Australia and overseas to take part in the 2012 World Championships.

"Rescue 2012 will be a great sporting spectacle that will showcase South Australia's magnificent beaches as well as providing an $18 million boost to the State's economy.

"In addition to enjoying our coastlines and using the new Aquatic Centre, many of the thousands of competitors will take the opportunity to tour our State's great regions and experience the very best of South Australia."

Adelaide's quality facilities and compact size have won over officials from the International Life Saving Federation (ILS) and Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) that are visiting the city this week.

The International Life Saving Federation's (ILS) Secretary General, Harald Vervaecke, has visited the locations in Adelaide and said he is impressed by what he has seen.

"The beaches and facilities that Adelaide has to offer for the World Championships will allow the ILS to take the event to a new level and make Rescue 2012 a showcase sporting event in Australia," Mr Vervaecke says.

"I believe Adelaide will have a strong point of difference with all venues being conducted within close proximity, making it a spectator and competitor friendly event.

"The ILS is once again excited to be bringing the event to Australia and we know Adelaide will provide a great backdrop for this world-class sporting event."

Surf Life Saving Australia President Ron Rankin AM, describes Adelaide as an ideal venue for the 2012 World Championships.

"Rescue 2012 will be held across three venues in Adelaide including Christies Beach, Glenelg Beach as well the future state-of-the-art Aquatic Centre at Marion which will host the pool events," Mr Rankin says.

"Additionally Glenelg will be the official „accommodation hub' of Rescue 2012 and will become the athlete's village and festival location, with the opening and closing ceremonies to be conducted there, with all beach events to be held at twilight."

"Rescue 2012 is another great addition to the State's thriving events calendar," says Minister Wright.

"With the World Bowls Championships also taking place in Adelaide, South Australia will now host two major world championships in 2012.

"We look to working with the local councils, the City of Holdfast Bay, City of Onkaparinga and City of Marion, on this major event."

The successful bid to host the 2012 World Life Saving Championships was a joint submission by Events South Australia, on behalf of the South Australian Government, and Surf Life Saving South Australia.

The dates for the 2012 World Life Saving Championships will be announced later this year.

Media contact:
Public Relations Unit,
telephone +61 8 8463 4500
or email satc.pr.publications@saugov.sa.gov.au