Despite the ongoing turmoil, I have been proud of the way that the Commonwealth Sport Movement has adapted under these difficult circumstances.
Although it has not been possible to be together in person, I am delighted that we have been able to communicate virtually to achieve some notable successes.
We have continued to support the Birmingham 2022 Partnership in preparing, for what I am sure will be an outstanding Commonwealth Games.
Of course, there have been challenges for the event, most notably a significant number of rescheduled major events moving to a hectic sporting calendar in 2022. However, an innovative and collaborative approach has enabled a minor 24-hour shift in the start date to the Games.
This slight adjustment to the schedule, was the result of multiple collaborative discussions, between the leaders of some of the world’s major sporting events. It ensures Birmingham 2022 will now host two full weekends of Commonwealth Sport, whilst extending the rest and recovery period, for those athletes competing in the 2022 World Athletics Championships.