BIRMINGHAM: The 22nd Commonwealth Games kicked off in spectacular fashion with a stunning opening ceremony at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham on Thursday. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, the Queen’s baton did not miss a single day or territory during its journey to Birmingham.
Taking five months to build and standing 10m high, the raging bull is pulled along by female chain-makers. In the 19th century, women worked long hours in hot and cramped outhouses for hardly any pay making chains, which led to a famous strike for better conditions.
Six medallists brought the ceremonial flag of the Commonwealth Games at the end of the ceremony. Humanity, Destiny and Equality are the three values that the games promote with their three colours of red, yellow and blue.
Prince Charles narrated the Queen’s message that the baton and the message inside it has travelled all across the world. He declares the Games open on behalf of the Queen and brought a mesmerising Opening Ceremony to a climactic end.
Olympic medalist PV Sindhu and the men’s hockey team captain Manpreet Singh lead the Indian contingent as the Commonwealth Games 2022 opening ceremony was held in Alexander Stadium in Birmingham on Thursday.
Some prominent names in the squad besides Olympic medallists P.V Sindhu, Mirabai Chanu, Lovlina Borgohain, Bajrang Punia and Ravi Kumar Dahiya. Defending CWG champions Manika Batra, and Vinesh Phogat as well as 2018 Asian Games Gold medallists Tajinderpal Singh Toor, Hima Das and Amit Panghal.
India will be represented by 215 athletes who will take part in 141 events across 19 sporting disciplines. Women’s T20I cricket is making its debut at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this year, with the top eight teams competing for the gold medal. Indian women’s cricket team will make their CWG debut against Australia on Friday. While the women’s hockey team will take on Ghana. More than 5,000 athletes are ready for action in the English city of Birmingham from Friday at a Commonwealth Games lacking many track and field superstars but still bragging elite performers.
There will be 1,875 medals up for win across all the sporting events, and for the first time ever in a global, multi-sport event, there are more women’s events than men’s.
There are 136 gold medals for women athletes in the Commonwealth Games, while there are 134 gold medals for men’s athletes. India won 66 medals in the 2018 Commonwealth Games. India’s best performance in the Commonwealth Games came in 2010. In 2010, India won 101 medals, including 38 gold medals. (ANI)
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