The 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, have been moved back by 24 hours in order to avoid any scheduling conflicts after several events were rearranged following the postponements in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
The event will now begin on 28 July 2022 and will run through to 8 August meaning there will be an even shorter turnaround between the conclusion of the Games and the European Championships which start at the Foro Italico, Rome, on Thursday 11 August.
The switch, though, does mean that there is a further day for athletes to recover following the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, which take place 15-24 July.
The Commonwealth Games, World Athletics Championships, UEFA Women’s Football Championships and the multi-sport European Championships will now all be held over a six-week period during the summer of 2022.
The move was announced following discussions between event organisers and representatives of several global sporting bodies.
Photo Courtesy: Birmingham 2022
A statement from Birmingham 2022 read:
“This announcement comes after significant impact to the international sporting calendar caused by COVID-19. This slight shift to the schedule is the result of many weeks of really positive collaboration between the organisers of some of the world’s major sporting events.
“Through these discussions, we have managed to align with the World Athletics Championships, as well as the UEFA Women’s Football Championships, to ensure that Birmingham 2022 takes its place amongst an amazing summer of sport in 2022.
“An added benefit of making this slight change is that we now boast two full weekends of Commonwealth Sport. Furthermore, we have extended the rest and recovery period for athletes that plan to compete in the recently rescheduled World Athletics Championships in Oregon, USA, as well as Birmingham 2022
“This new start date means our Opening Ceremony will now take place on 28 July 2022, avoiding a potential clash with the semi-finals of the UEFA Women’s Football Championships, which has also been rescheduled from 2021 to 2022. We believe this helps protect and promote the profile of women’s sport.
“This realignment of the calendar means that 2022 now offers an incredible summer of sport. The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the World Athletics Championships, the UEFA Women’s Football Championships, and the multi-sport European Championships will now all be held over an exciting six-week period during the Summer of that year.”
John Crabtree, Chairman of Birmingham 2022, said:
“As well as this slight change to our dates we are working on a detailed competition schedule for our 19 sports, looking at how we can maximise the recovery time for those athletes who will be looking to participate in more than one major event in two years’ time.
“We’re grateful for the expert input we continue to receive from international federations, national governing bodies and athletes’ advisory committees and we’ll release more information later in the year.”
CGF President Dame Louise Martin DBE said:
“In unprecedented circumstances, I am delighted that we have been able to work in partnership to ensure that the Commonwealth Games will take pride of place in what will be a fantastic summer of sport.
“The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on all areas of life, including the international sporting calendar, has been huge but in adversity, I have been proud to work closely alongside partner International Federations and Governing Bodies to help shape a spectacular five-week period of elite sport. It demonstrates the very best of sport working at the service of athletes.
“On behalf of the Commonwealth Sports Movement, I am pleased that 2022 will now be a real celebration of women’s sport.”