Birmingham were today officially awarded the 2022 Commonwealth Games to replace the original host Durban, stripped of the event nine months ago.
The decision was formally announced by Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) President Louise Martin at a special school assembly attended by 200 Year Seven students from Birmingham here today.
Her announcement, though, had been pre-empted 20 minutes earlier by Commonwealth Games England chairman Ian Metcalfe, who had told students “the Games will be taking place right here in four-and-a-half years time”.
insidethegames had revealed exclusively on Tuesday (December 19) that the city in the Midlands in England would be awarded the Games.
“We warmly congratulate Birmingham and England on today’s announcement – it is a defining moment for this truly Commonwealth city,” said Martin.
“With its rich history, cultural diversity, youthful dynamism and ambitious spirit, Birmingham embodies all that we cherish about the Commonwealth, and so the Commonwealth Sports Movement looks forward to collaborating with all the Games partners to showcase the city’s humanity and pride to a global audience over the coming months and years.”