A Commonwealth Games 2022 that once appeared doomed exploded into life with a dazzling opening ceremony on Thursday that put a modern spin on a sporting event often seen as a relic of the British Empire’s colonial past. Ten years after the 2012 London Olympics it was Birmingham`s moment in the spotlight, although a smaller one, as Prince Charles, reading a message on behalf of The Queen contained in a Baton that had travelled through all 72 nations and regions of the Commonwealth, declared the Games open.
No one could deny Birmingham for giving itself a massive pat on the back for taking on the responsibility of staging the 2022 Games after Durban, South Africa was stripped of hosting duties for failing to deliver on promises made in its bid.
Instead of the usual six-seven years to prepare, Birmingham had four and that challenge was multiplied by the arrival of COVID-19. While the pandemic forced the delay of an Olympics and an Asian Games, Birmingham pushed ahead, delivering on its promise of an on time, on budget project.
India will be represented by 215 athletes who will take part in 141 events across 19 sporting disciplines. Women’s T20I cricket is making its debut at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this year, with the top eight teams competing for the gold medal. Indian women’s cricket team will make their CWG debut against Australia on Friday.
While the women’s hockey team will take on Ghana. More than 5,000 athletes are ready for action in the English city of Birmingham from Friday at a Commonwealth Games lacking many track and field superstars but still bragging elite performers.
There will be 1,875 medals up for win across all the sporting events, and for the first time ever in a global, multi-sport event, there are more women`s events than men`s. There are 136 gold medals for women athletes in the Commonwealth Games, while there are 134 gold medals for men`s athletes.
India won 66 medals in the 2018 Commonwealth Games. India’s best performance in the Commonwealth Games came in 2010. In 2010, India won 101 medals, including 38 gold medals.
Check all the LIVE scores and updates from Day 1 of Commonwealth Games 2022 here.
Bureau Report
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