Commonwealth Games Federation ‘has every confidence’ in Birmingham 2022

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Coordination Commission has expressed its confidence in the preparations for the 2022 Games in Birmingham.

Following a two-day visit to the city the Coordination Commission (CoCom) said that with just over three years to go, getting everything ready in record time will remain a challenge but it has “every confidence that the partnership will deliver a fantastic Games in 2022 for the West Midlands”.

CoCom is tasked with monitoring the Games’ delivery to scope, schedule and budget with a focus on efficiency and effectiveness.

This was its second visit to the West Midlands, which saw it conduct site visits to key venues for the Games including the Athletes’ Village in Perry Barr, where construction is underway, and the Alexander Stadium, which is set for a £70m investment to transform it from its current capacity of 12,700 to up to 40,000.

CGF CoCom Chair Chris Jenkins said there was a strong emphasis on community engagement which will help showcase the many long-term benefits for the people of the region.

“We have been really impressed with preparations for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and feel that the Organising Committee is in very good shape,” he said.

“We could clearly see a very strong collaboration between all the partners working on the event and that bodes very well for the athletes, coaches and support staff that we will see at the Games.

“The big challenge remains time and there is no time to lose given the shortened window Birmingham have had to prepare for the Commonwealth Games compared to other host cities.

The CoCom also heard a number of presentations from the Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee and partners on areas including sport, transport, security and brand. There was a particular focus on capital builds with construction currently on track with the Athletes’ Village, Sandwell Aquatics Centre and Alexander Stadium.

“I think we are in a very good place and we have made a huge amount of progress since the CoCom’s last visit and there have been some real milestones too, with the start of construction on the Athletes’ Village as a clear example of how this project is moving forward quickly,” said Ian Reid, Chief Executive Officer for Birmingham 2022.

“We’ve also been working intensely with local businesses over the last six months, to really get the message out about how they can benefit from the Games.”

The visit took place from 12-13 June with the CoCom scheduled to conduct its next visit in December 2019. Birmingham 2022 will take place from 27 July – 7 August 2022.