Clarke, the former world record holder for the 10,000 metres, was upset to discover that the only local representative on the Board was Glynis Nunn-Cearns, the 1984 Olympic heptathlon champion.

He has now written to Mark Stockwell, the chairman of the Board, demanding an explanation.

Clarke said: "It is disappointing.

"We were worried this would happen from the start.

"I would have expected at least two or three Gold Coasters on there [the Board].

"I do not understand how you can organise an event for the Gold Coast without local knowledge.

"It is the Gold Coast community that has to take this idea forward."

Stockwell, a triple Olympic swimming medallist who is now a successful businessman in Brisbane, however, rejected Clarke's complaints.

He claims that Peter Morahan, Flight Centre director and managing director of Moreton Hire, Dennis Chant, Queensland Airports Limited chief executive, and Bronwyn Morris, a Bond University Councillor, also had strong links to the Gold Coast.

The other members of the newly-appointed Board are Sam Coffa, the President of the Australian Commonwealth Games Association (ACGA), Perry Crosswhite, the chief executive of the ACGA, and Mike Victor, the President of the Queensland ACGA.

Stockwell said: "What I would like to do is sit with Ron and discuss how we are going to work with the Gold Coast City Council."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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