THE 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games commenced with a grand opening ceremony at the Alexander Stadium that concentrated on paying tribute to the history of Birmingham, the host city.
It is the British city with the greatest diversity of cultures outside of London.
This year, the games are all about racial harmony, LGBT+ rights, and equality for people with disabilities just as much as weightlifting, running and cricket, hence should probably be known as “the Woke Games”.
It is renowned as being the ‘friendly Games’, bringing people together from across the Commonwealth regardless of their cultural background, disability, gender, or socio-economic background.
Ceremony at the Stadium honoured with Prince Charles’ classy entrance and Malala Yousafzai’s powerful speech.
Malala Yousafzai performed the song Hear My Voice to the enormous stadium crowd. Malala relocated to Birmingham when she was 15 years old after escaping from the Taliban in her region of Pakistan. The youngest recipient of the Nobel Prize added: “As we watch the incredible athletes of the Commonwealth Games, remember that every child deserves the chance to reach their full potential and pursue their wildest dreams.
“The young athletes who will compete over the next two weeks represent millions of girls and boys across the Commonwealth. Our shared hope for the future. A future where every child can go to school. Where women can fully participate in society. Where families can live in peace and in dignity.”
Tom Daley, a British Olympic diving champion who came out as gay in 2013, took use of the occasion to remind everyone that certain Commonwealth countries still uphold homophobic legislation from the colonial past. The two-time CWG gold medallist, who is not participating in Birmingham, carried Queen’s Baton into the darkened stadium as LGBTQ+ flags lined his path.
Prince Charles delivered a message on behalf of the Queen that officially opened the Games, and this was followed by a visual display of fireworks and music by the local rock band Duran Duran.
After women’s T20 cricket, beach volleyball, and para table tennis were confirmed for the next Commonwealth Games, Birmingham 2022 is expected to have the largest female and para-sport programme in the history of Commonwealth Games.
A total of 71 Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) approved Birmingham 2022’s application to add these three sports to the existing scheduled events.
Eight teams will compete at Birmingham’s famed Edgbaston Stadium in the addition of women’s T20 cricket.
This adds to a strong women’s sports programme that, as it stands, will include two more medal events for women at the Games, than for men (135 against 133).
For the first time ever, a significant multisport event will include more medal events for women than for men.
Ensuring equality, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to the games, which will improve the experience and expand the breadth of stakeholder involvement providing a greater positive legacy.
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