#B2022 Commonwealth Games

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Summer 2022 in Birmingham went down as the host of the Commonwealth Games. The spirit, the joy, and the connection between Brummies were on the next level. I have never been so proud to call Birmingham my town!

Some visitors would have come into the city when it was ready to rock. Me? I saw it getting "dressed" bit by bit. So, let me show you the city through my lens, and let us be happy through the colour of sport!

**1. Victoria Square is getting painted!** This place would see athletes complete marathons and other races. Tons of people would gather to watch the big screen and enjoy entertainment.

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As much as I liked the idea of the painted floor, it looked awful as soon as people began to use it.

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**2. Centenary Square** **Centenary Square** was the hub for **Megastore**, the **Raging Bull** and the **BBC**. It was constantly busy. People were coming not only to get the mascot from the store but also to see the Bull in action.

Those lucky ones could see the Bull move and spit steam from nostrils. Its eyes were lit red to make it look alive!

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**3. Around the train station** How lovely is it to walk up the colourful stairs or pass under the lights? You simply buzz with joy!

Imagine, as kids we choose beautiful rich colours that make us happy. Then we grow up and go neutral. Life gets so boring!

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The effect of the painted floor was extra cool with footage from above when athletes were completing marathons.

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**4. Smithfield Village** Having an event as big as Commonwealth Games in your city dictates your participation. As such, I have booked two disciplines my family wanted to attend. If I knew how cool it would be, I would have booked more!

So, the Smithfield Village was a huge space which was cleared in advance to host basketball, marathon, volleyball, etc. It used to have two multistorey car parks, which were demolished before the event.

The view below was still work in progress. Once it was all up, it was a fantastic space with greenery, a stage and badminton. They even had a bouncy corner for kids.

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We chose to watch Beach Volleyball & Squash.
For Beach Volleyball, I have booked tickets for the semi-finals. So happy team England got to the semi-finals because the atmosphere at the court was insane!

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_{Australia vs Rwanda. Australia won.}

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_{Canada vs England. Canada won.}

It was so hot that day, and I felt very sorry for the lads as they had given their best. Perhaps if the weather had been the "UK usual", we would have had better chances. But in the end, team England got the bronze! So, no complaints there.

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**5. University** The game of **Squash** was played at the **University**. I took the opportunity and dragged my boys to the Lapworth Museum of Geology, which was on site. While walking towards it, we witnessed the **countdown to the team's England Gold in hockey**! It was so so loud and emotionally moving. At that moment, I blamed myself for not booking the game.

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Inside the Squash court, we were watching the pairs finals. Team England was one of the teams to fight for the medal. Unfortunately, it was not gold. The gold went to New Zealand, and the teammates sitting in the audience honoured them with a haka dance.

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_{team England, team New Zealand, team India}

Hope you have enjoyed it!