A Birmingham independent school has been selected as the training venue for three events when the city hosts the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
King Edward’s School will host elite athletes from across the globe as they prepare to compete in discus, hammer and rhythmic gymnastics.
“Birmingham 2022 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our city to host world-class competition across such a broad range of sports,” said Ian Connor, the teacher charged with leading the school’s engagement with the Commonwealth Games.
“We are looking forward to our pupils experiencing and engaging in both the sporting festival and the parallel Birmingham 2022 Festival, which will shine a global spotlight on creativity in the West Midlands.”
The Edgbaston school’s sports ground off Eastern Road will welcome the field athletes, while rhythmic gymnasts will head for the Andrew Brode Sports Centre.
Additionally, the University of Birmingham’s athletics tracks, shared with King Edward’s School and King Edward VI High School for Girls and part of the school site, will host track athletes and para athletes training for the games.
“The organisers of Birmingham 2022 were looking for world-class venues that would replicate each sport’s competition venue, and we are delighted to have been selected as the training venue for rhythmic gymnastics, discus and hammer,” said Dr Katy Ricks, chief master of King Edward’s School.
“A global outlook is central to the ethos of our school and we are eagerly anticipating welcoming international competitors from all parts of the Commonwealth next year. Not only will they benefit from use of our facilities, but they can be assured of a very warm King Edward’s welcome.”
After serving as a training venue for elite athletes in 2022, the following year King Edward’s will go one step further and co-host the international competition itself. The school will also stage both cricket and powerlifting at the International Blind Sport Federation World Games.
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Michael oluban
Many inner city children’s schools would also benefit from world class sporting facilities.