Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony Live Updates: Birmingham welcomes thousands of the biggest names in sport

The first Commonwealth Games were held in Hamilton, Canada in 1930.

Only 400 athletes from 11 nations took part in these games, a hoot from the 4,500 from 72 nations who will be competing in Birmingham.

With 1.2 million tickets sold across the 15 venues, all but one of which is in and around Birmingham, it will be the busiest game in history. The Velodrome is in London.

There have been many incredible moments throughout the history of the games, but these games feel like a turning point.

In 1930 these games were called the British Empire Games, with almost all of the countries participating in that year’s games once being part of the British Empire (Rwanda and Mozambique being the ones that weren’t).

Recent events surrounding the BLM movement have thrown a spotlight on Britain’s colonial history like never before, with uncomfortable questions being asked that led to some uncomfortable but important conversations.

The Commonwealth Games — for so long a beacon of inclusivity — should serve as another vehicle to push the conversation further.

And there is no better place for it. Birmingham is Europe’s youngest city with almost 40 per cent of the population under the age of 25 and has a thriving multicultural society.

Let’s see what Birmingham 2022 has to offer us.