The Commonwealth Games are an international multi-sport tournament that features athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The first tournament was conducted in 1930. Ever since, excluding 1942 and 1946, it has been held every four years.
The 2022 Games are officially known as the XXII Commonwealth Games or Birmingham 2022. This year, the sporting event will be held from 28 July to 8 Aug 2022, in Birmingham, England. This year's event's slogan/motto is "A Games for Everyone."
England and the UK as hosts
The Commonwealth Games will be held in England for the third time, following London in 1934 and Manchester in 2002. On the other hand, it will mark the United Kingdom’s seventh time as a host, following London and Manchester, Cardiff in 1958, Edinburgh in 1970 and 1986, and Glasgow in 2014.
It will be the most extravagant athletic event in the United Kingdom since the Olympic Games in London in 2012. Every participant from the 72 participating countries is preparing to give their best performance and reach the highest level.
Venues across the UK
The CWG 2022 activities will take place in 15 locations around the United Kingdom. Seven of these are in Birmingham, the third-largest metropolis in the United Kingdom. The tournament will have 20 different sports spread across 15 venues in nine towns and cities across the UK.
The CWG 2022 Mascot
Emma Lou, a 10-year-old from Bolton, Greater Manchester, created the mascot after winning a nationwide design competition.
(Photo courtesy: Birmingham 2022)
Perry is the Commonwealth Games 2022 mascot. It is a funky, multicoloured bull with an athletic frame. It is named after Perry Barr, the Birmingham neighbourhood where the opening and closing ceremonies and other sporting activities will occur.
(Photo courtesy: Birmingham Mail)
The choice of a bull as a representative for the event stems from Birmingham's long history with the animal. The city for centuries has featured the Bull Ring, with its iconic bronze bull sculpture. Furthermore, the rainbow-coloured mascot stands for the Commonwealth and its diverse cultures coming together via sports as a medium.
Fun facts to get your kids excited about The CWG Birmingham 2022:
- There are over 2.4 billion people in the Commonwealth.
- Birmingham 2022 will be the 22nd Commonwealth Games.
- Six continents and 72 Commonwealth nations and associated territories will participate in the CWG.
- Over 5000 athletes from all over the world are expected to compete.
- England is hosting the tournament for the third time, the last being Manchester in 2002.
- The 2022 dates coincide with the tenth anniversary of the London 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.
What sports can we look forward to?
- Aquatics – Diving
- Aquatics - Swimming and Para Swimming
- Athletics and Para Athletics
- Badminton
- Women’s T20 Cricket
- Cycling - Mountain Bike
- Cycling - Road Race
- Cycling - Time Trial
- Cycling - Track and Para Track
- Boxing
- Basketball 3x3
- Beach Volleyball
- Gymnastics – Artistic
- Gymnastics – Rhythmic
- Hockey
- Judo
- Lawn Bowls and Para Lawn Bowls
- Netball
- Table Tennis and Para Table Tennis
- Triathlon and Para Triathlon
- Wheelchair Basketball 3x3
- Weightlifting
- Wrestling
Where can we watch it?
You can watch the live online streaming and TV coverage of Birmingham 2022 on BBC TV. Additional streams will also be available on BBC iPlayer, BBC Red Button, BBC Sport's website, and the BBC Sport mobile app.
With the CWG spread over 11 days, it would be a great way to teach kids and introduce them to other countries, their cultures, and most importantly - sportsmanship in action.
Roy’s Boys is excited for the games. Are you?
To know more about the CWG 2022 – the games schedule, medal tables and tickets, visit the official website - www.birmingham2022.com*.
(*The above link will take you to an external site with no affiliation to Roy's Boys)