Birmingham bid for the 2022 Commonwealth Games
 Logo of Birmingham's 2022 Commonwealth Games bid | |
| Host city |  Birmingham, England |
|---|---|
| Motto | Heart of the UK, Soul of the Commonwealth |
| Main venue | Alexander Stadium |
| Website | http://www.birmingham2022.com/ |
The Birmingham bid for the 2022 Commonwealth Games was a bid by Birmingham, England and Commonwealth Games England to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games.[1] On 21 December 2017 it was announced that the bid has been successful.[2]
Background
[edit]Birmingham was actually planning to bid for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. On 13 March 2017, Commonwealth Games Federation stripped Durban, South Africa of their rights to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games and reopened the bid process for the 2022 games.[3] On 19 June 2017 Birmingham announced its bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games along with unveiling of its bid logo.
The bid had the full support of: Birmingham City Council;[4] three regional local enterprise partnerships (Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership; Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership; Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership); the West Midlands Combined Authority, the West Midlands Growth Company and the newly elected Mayor of West Midlands, Andy Street.[5] Four-time Olympic gold medallist and multiple world champion Sir Mo Farah and CEO of Aston Villa F.C. Keith Wyness also supported the bid.[6][7]
Birmingham had also bid to host the 1992 Summer Olympics, but Barcelona was selected.
Previous events hosted
[edit]Birmingham has a track record of delivering large international sporting and cultural events, such as:[1]
- The Ashes test matches
- 1993 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships
- Yonex All England Open Badminton Championships since 1994
- 1995 World Netball Championships
- Eurovision Song Contest 1998
- 2007 European Athletics Indoor Championships
- 2010 European Men's Artistic Gymnastics Championships
- 2011 Trampoline World Championships
- 2012 UCI BMX World Championships
- 2015 Rugby World Cup fixtures
- 2017 ICC Champions Trophy
- 2018 World Indoor Athletics Championships
- IAAF Diamond League
- Davis Cup tennis
- Aegon Classic tennis championships
Venues
[edit]
Birmingham has a number of existing sports venues, arenas and conference halls that are suited for hosting sport during the Games. 95% of the competition venues were already in place for the 2022 games.[1] Alexander Stadium which will host the ceremonies and athletics will be renovated and the capacity will be increased from 12,000 to 50,000 seats. A 400-metre warm up track will also be developed. This would leave the stadium well placed to become the home of UK Athletics, hosting all the major national and international competitions after the Games.[8]
Venues in Birmingham
[edit]| Venue | Sport | Capacity | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Stadium | Ceremonies
Athletics |
50,000 | Upgrade |
| National Exhibition Centre | Boxing
Judo Table Tennis Freestyle Wrestling |
5,000 | Existing |
| Genting Arena | Badminton | 15,000 | Existing |
| Arena Birmingham | Artistic and Rhythmic Gymnastics | 15,000 | Existing |
| Symphony Hall | Weightlifting
Para Powerlifting |
2,200 | Existing |
| University of Birmingham | Squash
Hockey |
5,000 | Existing |
| Sandwell Aquatics Centre | Swimming
Para Swimming Diving |
5,000 | New |
| Villa Park Stadium | Rugby 7s | 42,000 | Existing |
| Victoria Square[9] | Basketball | 3,000 | Existing |
Venues outside Birmingham
[edit]| Venue | Sport | Capacity | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ericsson Indoor Arena | Netball | 7,000 | Existing |
| Victoria Park, Leamington[10] | Bowls | 2,000 | Existing |
See also
[edit]- Birmingham bid for the 1992 Summer Olympics
- 2002 Commonwealth Games at Manchester, England
- 1934 Commonwealth Games at London, England
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Birmingham 2022 Heart of the UK, Soul of the Commonwealth". www.birmingham2022.com. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
- ^ "Commonwealth Games: Birmingham announced as host of 2022 event". BBC Sport. 21 December 2017. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
- ^ "Durban stripped of 2022 Commonwealth Games". The Sydney Morning Herald. 14 March 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
- ^ Hopkins, Sue. "Commonwealth Games Bid 2022". www.birmingham.gov.uk. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
- ^ Supporters. "Birmingham 2022 Heart of the UK, Soul of the Commonwealth". www.birmingham2022.com. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
- ^ "Sir Mo Farah backs Birmingham's 2022 Commonwealth Games bid". 19 August 2017. Retrieved 19 August 2017.
- ^ "Aston Villa chief executive gives backing to Birmingham 2022 bid". 8 August 2017. Retrieved 19 August 2017.
- ^ Elkes, Neil (30 June 2017). "See how Alexander Stadium could be transformed for Commonwealth Games". birminghammail. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
- ^ Cosgrove, David. "How Birmingham's Victoria Square would look hosting basketball in 2022 Commonwealth Games". www.expressandstar.com. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
- ^ Elkes, Neil (17 August 2017). "Lawn bowls venue unveiled for city's 2022 Commonwealth Games bid". birminghammail. Retrieved 17 August 2017.