With the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony director saying the event will get going tonight with a “generation-defining show” as Duran Duran is back in their hometown to headline the festivities alongside Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi and the Birmingham symphony orchestra, let’s not forget the event welcomes 6,500 athletes from 72 nations and territories over eleven days of medal events.
With the Queen’s Relay rounding the final baton passes – and diver Tom Daley among the relay members – before the Commonwealth Games officially getting underway, this event edition is already making history. It’s due to be the best-attended Games with 1.2 million tickets already sold. It’s also the first time at a major multi-sport event that there will be more medal events for women than men: 136-134.
From the twist, tuck and pike athletes of the diving world, they get to show their control and precision in the mixed synchronised 3m springboard and 10m platform events for the first time at the Commonwealth Games. Diving gets underway on day seven of the Games, immediately following the conclusion of the swimming events.
Star-studded swimming field
The live-action gets underway in the pool tomorrow, with the six days of events running from 29 July to 3 August. British swimming standout Adam Peaty helps headline the host nation.
Four-time world record holder Emma McKeon, Ariarne Titmus of 200m-400m freestyle double fame from the Tokyo Olympics and recent FINA World Championships gold medallist and 200m breaststroke world record setter Zac Stubblety-Cook will be competing for a strong Australian contingent in the pool.
South Africa’s Chad le Clos comes in chasing history, needing one more medal to share the title of most decorated Commonwealth Games athlete of all time. His 18th and record-equalling medal could come on Saturday in the men's 50m butterfly, an event he won in 2018.
Peaty puts rappers through the paces of championship preparation
Adam Peaty’s been putting rappers through the paces in the gym ahead of the Commonwealth Games. Between sets of bench press, dynamic push-ups and pull-up bar hanging leg raises, Peaty told Birmingham native Mist the rapper that the event holds special appeal to him.
“Commonwealth Games is where it all started; it’s my first senior championship where I won gold. I beat the previous Olympic champ there; this is back in 2014 in Glasgow.
“When Birmingham is full of all the athletes, you’re going to feel it,” added Peaty. “You’re going to feel the energy, feel the buzz.
Getting the Commonwealth Games call | “If you have a lane, you have a chance”
Major championships also provide the forum for new waves of athletes to perform on the global stage. British swimmer Lauren Cox is one to keep an eye on. Cox recalled to the BBC getting the message that she’d represent her country at the Games as a culmination of years of training and competing all coming together.
“Such a good feeling. I remember being with my mum in the car at the time and it came through on my phone and I was just like ‘oh my gosh.’ I’ve been picked for the Commonwealth Games and we were so happy. There was so much relief, I was so happy. I was like, ‘wow, I’ve actually done it.’”
Lauren says imagining the crowds and atmosphere at Birmingham 2022 leaves her “giddy” with excitement.
“All the girls in my event are really, really strong,” said Cox. “They don’t know who I am, but I know a bit about them because I watch what they do and I look up to them.
I am on the road to potentially getting a medal, because if you have a lane, then you have a chance of getting a medal. So, I’m really excited, very nervous because that’s a pretty big deal.”
Day-by-Day Swimming Schedule
Friday, 29 July – Day1
Women's 400m medley, women's 200m free, men's 400m free, men's 100m back S9, women's 100m free S9, men's 200m breast, mixed 4x100m free relay
Saturday, 30 July – Day 2
Men's 50m fly, women's 50m breast, men's 200m free, S13 men's 50m free, S13 women's 50m free, men's 400m medley, women's 100m fly, men's 100m back, women's and men's 4x100m free relay
Sunday, 31 July – Day 3
Women's 50m free, men's 200m fly, women's 200m breast, SB8 men's 100m breast, S8 women's 100m back, women's 100m back, men's 100m breast, S14 mixed 4x100m free relay, women's 4x200m free relay
Monday, 1 August – Day 4
Women's 200m back, 200m medley, SB6 100m breast and 50m fly, men's 100m free, S7 50m free, 50m back and 4x200m free relay
Tuesday, 2 August – Day 5
Women's 100m free, 100m breast, 200m fly, SM10 200m medley and 800m free, men's 100m fly, 200m back, S10 100m fly, 50m breast, mixed 4x100m medley relay
Wednesday, 3 August – Day 6
Women's 400m free, 50m back, 4x100m medley relay and S14 200m free, men's 200m medley, S14 200m free, 50m free, 1500m free and 4x100m medley, mixed 4x100m medley
Day-by-Day Diving Schedule
Thursday, 4 August – Day 7
Women's 10m platform, men's 1m springboard
Friday, 5 August – Day 8
Women's 1m springboard, men's 3m synchro and 10m synchro
Saturday, 6 August – Day 9
Women's 3m synchro and 10m synchro, men's 3m springboard
Sunday, 7 August – Day 10
Women's 3m springboard, men's 10m platform
Monday, 8 August – Day 11
Mixed synchro 3m, mixed synchro 10m