Staffordshire joins countdown to Commonwealth Games

Staffordshire is gearing up for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games this summer, as the county prepares to host two events.

With only six months to the start of the games, residents in South Staffordshire are being invited to Wombourne Community Library to find out more about what will be a truly memorable event for the region. Community drop-in events will be held by the games organisers at the library fortnightly on Fridays between 9am and 12noon until the start of the games.

Cannock Chase Forest is set to host the mountain biking events whilst South Staffordshire will welcome part of the road cycling time trials.

Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for communities and culture, Victoria Wilson, said:

“We’re all incredibly excited that Staffordshire is playing its part in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games by hosting two events. This won’t just be a great spectacle for our residents but will help put our great county on the map internationally.

“Both events will bring some of the best athletes in the world to our county which is great news and I’d encourage communities to get involved in an amazing summer festival of sport on our doorstep.

“The games promise to be a memorable experience with a lasting legacy and I’m sure will help to inspire the next generation of athletes.”

 The men’s and women’s cycling time trial events will take place on Thursday 4 August. Each will start and finish at West Park in Wolverhampton and will also take in Dudley Borough, before a short stretch through South Staffordshire. People will be able to watch the event for free along the route.

The time trial event is the second of the Games to take place in Staffordshire, with the world’s best mountain bikers also competing on the trails of Cannock Chase Forest.

People who have an inspirational friend or colleague are also being urged to nominate them for a place in the Queen’s Baton Relay team ahead of the games. There will be over 2,000 baton bearers across England and over 7,500 across the Commonwealth. Each participant will carry the baton 200 metres. Nominations close at 5pm on Monday 14 February.

People can find out more about the games at www.birmingham2022.com