The Commonwealth Games Is Handed To Birmingham
16 April 2018, 10:01
Birmingham has officially taken over the Commonwealth Games.
The UK's second city will host the competition in 2022.
Around a billion people watched the ceremony on Sunday which began with Birmingham's Lord Mayor Anne Underwood telling crowds in Australia: "We are a very young and diverse city - we will showcase our city's youth and diversity."
There were performances from rappers and speak artists before crossing over to Birmingham where viewers were treated to a colourful routine by hundreds of dancers in Victoria Square.
They performed to 'Mr Blue Sky' by Birmingham band ELO.
We hope you enjoyed the #birmingham2022 event live from #Brum. Our brilliant young performers certainly did! Well done to everyone involved pic.twitter.com/pVQyHmHEzh
— Birmingham 2022 (@birminghamcg22) 15 April 2018
There was a choir, dancers of all ages and drag queens in the fountain.
Erdington rapper Lady Sanity took to the stage in the Gold Coast along with poet Amerah Saleh.
What an experience!!
— For Figures OUT NOW! (@Ladysanity) 15 April 2018
Thank you all so much. Massive thank you to everyone at @GC2018 !
Bring on @birminghamcg22
Birmingham you have stayed back too long. Told them to take the limelight for a while. They sparked coloured lights in celebration of everything but never in celebration of us. #birmingham2022
— Amerah Saleh (@Voiceofthepoets) 15 April 2018
Team England will hope a home Games helps them build on a second-placed finish in the medal table on the Gold Coast this year.
They won 45 golds altogether with 136 medals in total.
