The UK’s second city, Birmingham, will play host to the 2022 Commonwealth Games over 12 days from the 28th of July until the 8th of August. With just shy of 6 months to go until Birmingham and the West Midlands offers a warm welcome to visitors from around the world, take a look at these 10 fun facts to find out more about the Games!
1. THE BIRMINGHAM 2022 COMMONWEALTH GAMES WILL, QUITE APTLY, BE THE 22ND COMMONWEALTH GAMES!
Firstly, the first Games were held in 1930 and they have taken place every 4 years since then, World War II, however, prevented the games from taking place in 1942 and 1946, paving the way for Birmingham 2022 to become the 22nd Games.
2. THE GAMES HAVE ALREADY BROKEN RECORDS!
The Games are already breaking records before the sport has even started! The Games team interviewed 22,000 potential volunteers in the space of 3 months, it took the 2018 Commonwealth Games Gold Coast Team 9 months to interview the same number of people. 22,000 people were reduced to approximately 13,000 who will volunteer during the Games. Additionally, 1000 of which were chosen from priority groups (young people and the unemployed).
3. BIRMINGHAM 2022 IS AIMING TO BE THE FIRST-EVER CARBON NEUTRAL GAMES!
There are many strategies in place to reach this milestone. For example, offering free public transport during the Games and 0 waste being sent to landfill. The Games are also working with Severn Trent Water to plant 2022 acres of forest, and planting a further 72 ‘tiny forests’ across the West Midlands.
4. MORE MEDALS WILL BE AWARDED TO WOMEN THAN MEN!
For the first time in global multi-sport history, there will be more women’s events than men’s! There will be 136 medal opportunities for women vs 134 for men.
5. THE MARATHON ROUTE WILL SHOW OFF THE HISTORY OF BIRMINGHAM
The Games’ 4 marathon events will see athletes run their 26 miles against a backdrop of iconic Brummie history! Athletes will run through Bournville village which was founded by the Cadbury family for the employees of their chocolate factory. They will also run through the infamous party-central Broad Street and Centenary Square which was renamed in 1989 to commemorate Birmingham’s centenary as a city. Furthermore, they will run through are the the Jewellery Quarter (which produces over 40% of the UK’s jewellery) with its recently restored Chamberlain Clock, and many more.
6. THERE IS A £1 MILLION DANCE PERFORMANCE AT THE OPENING AND CLOSING CEREMONIES!
Known as Critical Mass, this mass participation project received £1 million in funding from the Spirit of 2012 charity. The dances will be performed by 300 young people (aged 16-30) from across the West Midlands. ⅓ of which will be disabled, and 40% from Asian, Black, or Minority Ethnic backgrounds.
7. CRICKET WILL BE A WOMEN’S ONLY AFFAIR
The first T20 International was played by women, and the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will follow suit. It will be the first time that both the T20 format and women cricketers will partake in the Games. There will not be a men’s cricket competition at this Games, just a female T20 tournament.
8. THE BIRMINGHAM 2022 COMMONWEALTH GAMES WILL COST £778 MILLION!
This makes it the most expensive UK sporting event since the 2012 London Olympics. The British Government are footing 75% (£594 million) of the bill, with Birmingham City Council covering the rest (£184 million).
9. THERE IS AN OFFICIAL BIRMINGHAM 2022 GAMES FONT!
The official font was made by analysing typography from across the West Midlands. E.g. handwritten signs, graffiti and other writings. The unique font will be used throughout the Commonwealth Games branding and was created through the direct influence of local people and places.
10. THE GAMES MASCOT PERRY THE BULL WAS DESIGNED BY 10-YEAR-OLD EMMA LOU!
Finally, the mascot is named Perry after Perry Barr, an area of Birmingham that will help to host the Games. Perry is a bull as the animal is synonymous with Birmingham, partly thanks to the Bullring’s famous bronze bull statue. He is covered in rainbow-coloured hexagons to represent the coming together of the diverse Commonwealth and West Midlands communities for the Games. And Perry is wearing a kit with blue, red and yellow stripes, reflecting the colours of the Birmingham flag.
So there you have it, 10 fun facts about this summers Birmingham Commonwealth Games! Interesting right? The Games will utilise venues across the entire West Midlands. It will therefore bring people, publicity and revenue to the region, as well as a near-fortnight of incredible sporting prowess! We can’t wait!
Here is a link to the official Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games website. You can find out more about the Games, volunteering opportunities, and buying tickets.
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