After a testing bidding process, which at various points involved Liverpool, Canada, Malaysia and Australia, the City of Birmingham was today announced as the hosts for the XXII Commonwealth Games in 2022.

Initially,  the South African city of Durban was awarded the Games in 2015 before being stripped of the event because it did not meet the Commonwealth Games Federation criteria, mainly putting a funding package in place.

Birmingham’s organisers will now move forward with plans to build the UK’s largest permanent athletics stadium, supplemented by four indoor arenas.  The Wrestling is likely to be in the already established National Exhibition Centre (NEC).

CGF President Louise Martin CBE said: “We warmly congratulate Birmingham and England on today’s announcement – it is a defining moment for this truly Commonwealth city. 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.

“The vast majority of the Games venues are in place, and with extensive experience in the UK of hosting successful major events – including Manchester 2002, London 2012 and Glasgow 2014 – the CGF looks forward to a truly spectacular Games that delivers not only for the 2.4 billion citizens across the Commonwealth but the wider world, too. Today is a fantastic day for Birmingham, global Britain and our resurgent Commonwealth Sports Movement.”

Lewis Brown said “The NEC would be an amazing venue to host wresting. I feel really inspired about the potential of being able to compete there, in a hub of other sports. It’s keeping me motivated in my training, I’m definitely backing the Birmingham 2022 Bid and really hope we can bring the Games here.” (link to other supporters quotes in the company of Lewis)
This will be the third time the Commonwealth Games has been held in Britain since the turn of the century, after Manchester (2002) and Glasgow (2014).  Leading members of British Wrestling played major roles in the successful bidding process for Manchester and in the running of those Games.  In 2014, Victor Keelan took the oath on behalf of ALL Officials during the Opening Ceremony of the Glasgow Games.

The sports programme will be: –

Wrestling
Athletics
Badminton
Basketball
Bowls
Cycling
Judo
Triathlon
Weightlifting
Boxing
Hockey
Netball
Squash
Gymnastics
Rugby 7’s
Swimming (including Diving)
Table Tennis

• BBC News item
• Commonwealth Games England Announcement
• Birmingham 2022 Official Website
• Highlights of day from Commonwealth Games Federation