BIRMINGHAM, England – The XXCXX Commonwealth Games, officially known as the 2022 Commonwealth Games, took place in Birmingham from July 28 to August 8, 2022. Originally awarded to Durban, South Africa, the event was relocated after Durban was stripped of hosting rights in 2017. Birmingham stepped in, delivering a vibrant, inclusive, and record-breaking edition that reaffirmed the Commonwealth’s spirit of friendly competition. A Festival of Unity and Diversity The Games featured 72 nations and territories (excluding suspended members like Russia, which is not a Commonwealth member) competing across 20 sports , including 8 para-sports — the most in Commonwealth history. The event’s motto, “Games for Everyone,” was reflected in the largest-ever integrated para-sport program, gender-equal medal events, and the debut of women’s T20 cricket and 3×3 basketball. Opening Ceremony: A Celebration of Birmingham’s Heart The opening ceremony at Alexander Stadium blended industrial heritage with modern diversity. Highlights included a tribute to the city’s Peaky Blinders legacy, a performance by local rapper Raza Hussain, and a stunning holographic appearance by late music legend Benjamin Zephaniah. The Prince of Wales (now King Charles III) officially opened the Games, accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall. Top Moments & Sporting Highlights 1. Athletics – A New Sprint King Jamaica’s Oblique Seville stunned the world by winning the men’s 100m in 10.02s, while Elaine Thompson-Herah completed the sprint double (100m, 200m). England’s Eilish McColgan won the 10,000m in a dramatic final lap, fulfilling a family legacy after her mother Liz won the same event in 1990. 2. Swimming – McKeon Makes History Australian Emma McKeon collected 6 gold medals , becoming the most successful Commonwealth Games athlete of all time with 14 career golds. The Aussie women’s 4×100m freestyle relay team smashed the world record (3:27.96). 3. Cricket’s Debut – Australia Takes Gold In the first-ever women’s T20 cricket competition at the Commonwealth Games, Australia defeated India in a nail-biting final by 9 runs. The bronze medal match saw New Zealand beat England. 4. Para-Sport Excellence England’s Maisie Summers-Newton won two golds in SB6 breaststroke events. Nigeria’s Folashade Oluwafemiayo broke the women’s heavyweight para-powerlifting world record twice, lifting 155kg. 5. Lawn Bowls – Unexpected Heroes The Scottish men’s fours team defeated England in a tense final, while Malaysia won their first-ever Commonwealth gold in women’s pairs, sparking celebrations across Southeast Asia. Medal Table – Australia Dominates | Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total | |------|--------------|------|--------|--------|-------| | 1 | Australia | 67 | 57 | 54 | 178 | | 2 | England | 57 | 39 | 33 | 129 | | 3 | Canada | 26 | 32 | 34 | 92 | | 4 | India | 22 | 16 | 23 | 61 | | 5 | New Zealand | 20 | 12 | 17 | 49 |