Birmingham Commonwealth Games 'can be better than Gold Coast'

Wrestler Nathaniel Brown narrowly missed out on competing at the Gold Coast after picking up an injury in the lead up to the games.

He still travelled to Australia to act as a training partner for other competitors, but he is eyeing hometown glory in 2022.

And he believes that the nature of the West Midlands and its people means that the 2022 games will exceed the 2018 event.

“It’s a long way away but all being well, keeping myself and my body in check, my goal is to be competing this time,” he said.

“And the home team support will help a lot, and give us that psychological edge on competitors.

“I know for sure that the Birmingham games will be better than the Gold Coast ones. I’m from Wolverhampton, I know the area, I know how involved the Midlands is with sports, and I know how much they’re into their sports and how much they give their athletes as well.

“So I know for sure that this one will be better than the Gold Coast. I don’t know about the weather, though.

“But I’m really excited to leave a legacy for my child, for the people I train with, to show them that it is possible. So it’s a great opportunity, and I literally cannot wait.”

One homegrown talent who did shine on the Gold Coast is Birmingham-born squash player Sarah-Jane Perry, who took silver during the games earlier this year.

Perry narrowly missed out on gold to a New Zealand-born player, who she says had the backing of the home crowd going into the final.

She believes that the Birmingham crowd will have a similar effect in 2022.

“I was born here and I’ve lived in the area my whole life,” she said.

“I use the sport facilities at the Alexander stadium, and I actually used to compete in athletics as well so I’ve got lots of memories from that stadium too.

“So just the opportunity to be able to compete on home soil will be incredible. Unfortunately, the match I lost in the final of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games was to a girl from New Zealand.

“And I know it’s not quite a home crowd, but the Aussies’ relationship with the English meant that everyone supported the Kiwi.

“So I actually almost saw the home atmosphere from her point of view, and that actually makes me even more excited for Birmingham, to hopefully have that for us as we

The event, which was hosted by Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth triple jump champion Jonathan Edwards and John Crabtree, chairman of the Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee, included a networking breakfast and presentations at the ICC.

After the event John Crabtree said: “I was delighted to see so many businesses from across Birmingham and the region at the ICC today. It was an excellent chance to explain how they can put themselves in the best possible position to benefit from the significant boost that hosting the Games will bring to the West Midlands.

“We know from recent editions of the Games that it’s possible that more than 80 per cent of the Organising Committee’s contracts will be won by local or regional businesses and today’s event has kick started that process of ensuring the city and region is truly competitive.

“The Organising Committee is very much looking forward to working with local companies over the next four years, to ensure that we deliver a lasting economic legacy across the West Midlands and beyond.”

Jonathan Edwards, who shared with the audience his experience of competing at three and working at three different editions of the Commonwealth Games, said: “I was lucky enough to compete in Birmingham many times in my athletics career, so I’ve witnessed first-hand the passion that local people have for sport and today I’ve also seen how passionate the regional business community is.

“I have no doubt that working closely together over the next four years, the local business people I’ve met today will use that passion and determination to ensure that they take full advantage of the opportunity that having a major multi-sport event on their door step will bring.”

By Tom Dare

Local Democracy Reporter