Commonwealth Games: Birmingham set to host historic Games

The biggest sporting programme in Commonwealth Games' history will take place over the next 12 days.

This will be the first time at a major multi-sport event that more medals will be given to women than men.

The Para-sports events are a new record.

There is an opening ceremony at Alexander Stadium.

Women's Twenty20 cricket, three-on-three basketball and mixed synchronised swimming are some of the new sports that will be shown on Friday.

1.2 million tickets have been sold for the best-attended games.

Track cycling will take place at the Lee Valley velodrome in London, as part of the action.

British Olympic stars Laura Kenny and Adam Peaty will race in cycling and swimming events for England, while Geraint Thomas, who finished third in the Tour de France, will ride for Wales.

Fraser-Pryce, fresh from her 100m world title, will try to add to her collection of Commonwealth gold.

At the Tokyo Olympics, Titmus did the 400m- 800m freestyle double.

The women's race is expected to be a battle between England's Georgia Taylor-Brown and the winner of the Olympics.

A modern Games with familiar forces at work

There will be new names and new ideas.

The Commonwealth nations will compete in a pilot event at the end of the games.

The pitches will be virtual after 10 days of in person action. The debut of Esports' arm's-length will attract a lot of interest.

There will be something new about the medal table's final look.

Four years ago, Australia dominated the table with 80 gold medals and over 200 trips to the podium. England won 45 golds, followed by India and Canada with 26 and 15 each.

Wales enjoyed their most successful Commonwealth Games with 10 gold medals.

Laura Muir and Duncan Scott, world and Olympic medallists in athletics and swimming respectively, lead a Scotland team with ambitions to go better than the nine gold medals they picked up on the Gold Coast.

Gymnast Rhys McClenaghan, who won Northern Ireland's sole gold last time out, has overcome a potential block on participating to defend his pommel horse title.

A Commonwealth with less in common

The biggest question will be whether the young population of the city has injected new life into an old concept.

The British Empire Games were the beginning of the Commonwealth Games. Britain's Victorian-era expansion and exploitation is being scrutinized.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were welcomed to Jamaica by Fraser-Pryce and Thompson-Herah. Andrew Holness said that he wants independence. Soon.

During the royal visit, the sounds of protest mixed with the welcome. During the games, it could continue. The Olympics give athletes the freedom to make positive expressions of their values on the field of play.

The Commonwealth and the Games have evolved into something different from Empire. Two nations that were never part of the Empire will be competing in the sporting event.

Since the Caribbean nation replaced the Queen as its head of state in 2020, a 65-strong team will compete in the Commonwealth Games.

The world around the Commonwealth Games is changing, but that doesn't mean their relevancy isn't relevant.

There is a lot of people who have come from the Commonwealth in the city of Birmingham.

It does have something to say. It might not be what it was in the past, but it is evolving and changing, and that focus on values is important.

The Games need to keep evolving to keep up with the times.

The first Games promised to be free from excessive stimuli and the international stadium.

"They should be merrier and less stern, and will substitute the stimulus of novel adventure for the pressure of international rivalry," added the mission statement.

The cricket season is in full swing and the football season starts on August 5th, which is more crowded than it was a century ago.

Is there still a place for "merry" sport when there's bad blood? There is a world of competing bells, whistles and screens.

The verve and energy of the city will help it shine.

There is still a place for a curious and unique slice of sporting competition if it does happen.