Western Australia to host 2016 World Masters Athletics Championships

Perth has won the right to host the 2016 World Masters Athletics Championships.

Tourism Minister Kim Hames said Perth was named the host city earlier yesterday, Perth time, following a vote by the World Masters Athletics General Assembly in Sacramento, USA.

Dr Hames said the championships could potentially deliver up to $31million to the economy and more than 100,000 visitor nights from the expected visitors - providing a significant boost to Western Australia's tourism and hospitality industries.

"The championships could attract 8,000 athletes, supporters and spectators," he said.

Perth had bid for the 2015 championships however following changes to the World Masters Athletics constitution, two championships were up for grabs with WA winning the 2016 event.

Lyon in France will host the 2015 event.

The changes mean that following the 2015 event, the championships will be held every even numbered year, starting with 2016, instead of the current odd-year schedule.

"The bid process has been a collaborative effort between Eventscorp; Masters Athletics Australia; Masters Athletics Western Australia; Athletics Western Australia; Athletics Australia; the Department of Sport and Recreation; and VenuesWest and I congratulate them all on a job well done," the Minister said.

The USA, Spain, Italy, Great Britain, France, Canada and India are traditionally the countries with the most competitors.

However, Dr Hames said the championships were not just about the competition, and provided a fantastic opportunity to showcase the extraordinary State of WA.

"From an athletes' point of the view, they want strong competition at world-class facilities but then to have the opportunity to travel in the host destination," he said.

This year, WA has secured major sailing, swimming, cycling, basketball and water polo events with more major sporting events due to be announced in coming months.

The World Masters Athletics Championships was last held in Australia in 2001 when Brisbane hosted the event.

Minister's office - 9222 8788