Birmingham 2022: are Brummies excited for the Commonwealth Games?

The Games get underway in two weeks
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It’s not long to go until the start of the Commonwealth Games here in Birmingham and the West Midlands.

Over a million visitors are set to be welcomed into the region during the course of the prestigious event which gets underway on July 28. But what have Brummies themselves got to look forward to over the course of the two weeks?

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, shares his thoughts on the heatwaveAndy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, shares his thoughts on the heatwave
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, shares his thoughts on the heatwave
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Speaking to BirminghamWorld, Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “What have people got to look forward to? So much! I mean, if you haven’t got your ticket yet, there are tickets still available, so you can go and be part of it in that way. But also there’s going to be live sites across the city and region. Actually, lots of those not just in Birmingham in other local authority areas as well. What every single person can do is welcome all of our visitors - 1.2 million people.

“So whether you’re a taxi driver, a shop assistant, working in a pub, or hotel, whatever, you’re all part of what you might call Team Birmingham, Team West Midlands, showing our welcome.”

The Commonwealth Games have been a catalyst for many changes here in the city. An economic regeneration unlike anything the city has seen before, upgrades in infrastructure, and perhaps even more apparent than that - a renewed sense of pride as Birmingham is set to build a global reputation. But what do Brummies themselves make of the advent of the games here in the city they call home?

Areeba, from Birmingham, shares her thoughts on the heatwaveAreeba, from Birmingham, shares her thoughts on the heatwave
Areeba, from Birmingham, shares her thoughts on the heatwave

Areeba says:“Yeah, I think it’s amazing because Birmingham is a really diverse city and population, and there’s so many opportunities to help out as well. I’ve volunteered, and I’ve also got a job for the Commonwealth Games as well. And it’s like a security job. And I think it’ll be really interesting to be able to see everybody, you know, playing games, having fun, out in this hot weather, it’s pretty nice.”

Maithan, from Birmingham, shares his thoughts on the heatwaveMaithan, from Birmingham, shares his thoughts on the heatwave
Maithan, from Birmingham, shares his thoughts on the heatwave
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Maitham added: “So considering Birmingham is like the second largest city in the UK, you know, I mean, I think it’s very, it’s important that it is put on the map, you know, and I think Birmingham has a lot to offer. I’m very glad that I decided to choose Birmingham as my location as well - to study here, to live here, to work here. And I really think the Commonwealth Games is a really good opportunity for Birmingham to be recognised.”

A lot to look forward to during the Games, here in the city from the 28th July to the 8th August. After it was announced in December 2017 the city would be hosting, much of the buzz and the rebirth of the city has been built in anticipation for the Commonwealth Games. Unfortunately, both the Games and the accompanying cultural events surrounding it as part of the Birmingham 2022 project will eventually come to a close.

So will the buzz around the city fizzle out after the Games, or will they serve as an impetus for an even greater destiny?

Andy Street says: “So of course, it’s going to be a brilliant couple of weeks. So we’re all going to be so proud. But I’m so determined this lasts after as well. So people who’ve got their new training, because then they’ll get a job on the back of the game. So I want people in 10 years time to be saying ‘I got that because of the skill I learned before the games. So I got this career because Birmingham hosted the 2022’. So that’s perhaps the best example. Now businesses will come and show their wares at our big business festival - win contracts around the world on the back of the games. And of course most importantly, it gives us real, real confidence as a region that we can host future things in the future. And our reputation for doing it brilliantly will put us in an unstoppable position.”

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