Birmingham 2022 Site Visit Photos
From November 15 to 17, 2021, and March 28 to April 1, 2022, Team Canada mission team leaders got the chance to visit the 2022 Commonwealth Games sites in Birmingham and the West Midlands. On both visits, the representatives visited sport and operational venues, to better understand the layout in relation to the multiple villages being used for the 2022 Games. Here are some pictures to give you a chance to immerse yourselves in the upcoming 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Above is the Longines countdown clock. Longines decided to sign a deal with the Commonwealth Games to sponsor the next three Games’ editions. The deal was unveiled at the same time as this countdown clock which is in Birmingham's Centenary Square. The sponsor will also provide all timing and scoring equipment for every event during the next three editions, 2022, 2026 and 2030.
"Our brand has a long history of innovation and precision in sports timekeeping, dating back to the late 19th century already. For the three next Commonwealth Games, starting with Birmingham 2022, Longines is perpetuating this history, together with athletes and sports fans from all over the world."
The clock features a fully accessible ramped approach to allow both wheelchair users and non-wheelchair users to move freely under the structure. Birmingham's 'B' logo was created by connecting 12 towns and cities across the region, making Birmingham the key game's location.
These are a few of the residences that Team Canada will call home including the University of Birmingham and NEC Hotel Campus. When the athletes aren’t busy being the superstars of the Games, they will be recovering here. In addition to the University of Birmingham residences, some athletes will also be located at the University of Warwick, and in London for the track cycling events.
Above is the new High-Performance Centre at the Warwick University site. In that facility, you can find a large gym, 12-lane 25-metre swimming pool complete with a movable floor, fitness class studio spaces, climbing and bouldering walls, squash and netball courts, a massive sports arena, and outdoor pitches. The University of Warwick is one of the world's most international campuses, and they have significant experience in hosting sporting events.
Located in Perry Barr, just outside of the city centre, the Alexander Stadium will host Athletics and the opening and closing ceremonies for the Games. The stadium has been redeveloped for the Games to provide improved pedestrian routes, installation of a changing rooms, and improved accessible seating options.
The new Sandwell Aquatics Centre is located in Smethwick and will feature a 50m Olympic-sized swimming pool as well as a 25m diving pool, community swimming pool and seats for up to 1,000 spectators. The site will also include facilities such as: 108-station gym, indoor cycling studio, dry driving centre, sauna/steam room, new football pitch, and more.
The National Exhibition Centre (NEC) site will host a handful of different sports including badminton, boxing, netball, para powerlifting, weightlifting, table tennis, and para table tennis. These competitions will take place in the NEC exhibition halls and the arena which are all indoor venues.
Finally, meet the official 2022 Commonwealth Games mascot, Perry, the multi-coloured Bull. Birmingham has chosen the Bull as representation since they have had a Bull Ring Market for hundreds of years. They named the Bull after Perry Barr, where their Alexander stadium is located and will get the Games started. His rainbow-coloured hexagons represent all of the communities of the Commonwealth coming together in equal part and shape. His outfit represents the flag of Birmingham, Red, Yellow and Blue. Now that you know Perry better, he is excited to start and have fun at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
