different types of sports as well. this is the start of 12 days of sporting and cultural events which it is hoped will live long in the memory. let s speak to our correspondent jane dougall, who s in birmingham. jane, the opening ceremony is under way. as phil was saying, the 72 nations. in terms of where the commonwealth games is, how relevant is it in the international sporting calendar, do you think?- is it in the international sporting calendar, do you think? well, the thin is, calendar, do you think? well, the thing is, tim. calendar, do you think? well, the thing is, tim, there calendar, do you think? well, the thing is, tim, there are calendar, do you think? well, the thing is, tim, there are so - calendar, do you think? well, the thing is, tim, there are so many. thing is, tim, there are so many athletes. you mentioned the 72 nations and territories. all of these athletes perhaps would not have the chance to compete in the world for example or in the olympics. so it is hi
er. it is very majestic, in a way, but, with the games just about to start, i find it exciting and very buzzing. so, a very electric atmosphere. well, it has all come together pretty well, considering they only knew they were hosting the games just over four years ago. birmingham and the west midlands has always felt overlooked and unloved by the rest of the country, so this is a big moment, a chance for it to change people s perceptions. we are actually going to sell the brand of birmingham and the west midlands right around the world. it gives an opportunity to show the world just how this place has progressed in recent years. huge business conference here could coincide over the next two weeks, investment will come from that as well. you can hardly walk anywhere without bumping into someone from another competitor in this case, guernsey, which is hosting next year s island games. one of the things we would like to replicate is the atmosphere and the friendliness because we are wal
it is history in the making. the city has put on its gladrags. everywhere, there are banners and logos, new floral displays and the smell of fresh paint. the commonwealth teams have arrived and are taking it all in. er. it is very majestic, in a way, but, with the games just about to start, i find it exciting and very buzzing. so, a very electric atmosphere. well, it has all come together pretty well, considering they only knew they were hosting the games just over four years ago. birmingham and the west midlands has always felt overlooked and unloved by the rest of the country, so this is a big moment, a chance for it to change people s perceptions. we are actually going to sell the brand of birmingham and the west midlands right around the world. it gives an opportunity to show the world just how this place has progressed in recent years. huge business conference here could coincide over the next two weeks, investment will come from that as well. you can hardly walk anywhere without
changes have been made since. newsreel: we, all loyal subjects of his majesty, | will take part in the games- in the true spirit of sportsmanship. then there are those who say its colonial origins are still being felt today. at a sensitive time, when the windrush scandal hasn t been fully resolved yet, families torn apart, people who spend all their lives here, people who were born in caribbean countries and african countries and parts of asia, when the union flag flew over those countries, being told, you have no right to be here, and then we re saying, yes, but we embrace our commonwealth family, it does say double standards. the commonwealth games organisers say they are committed to the event reflecting the region. the city of birmingham s official slogan is forward , and ultimately, the legacy these games leave behind will be far more important than the medals won. nesta mcgregor, bbc news. well, there s a big build up
going on here, with rehearsals during the morning and the opening ceremony due to start at 8pm. that s it from us here in birmingham for now. for all the rest of the day s news, let s cross back to martine croxall in the studio. the events leading up to the murder of a 13 month old boy in cumbria are the subject of a safeguarding review to be published later today. leiland james corkill was killed injanuary last year by laura castle, a woman who had hoped to adopt him. in herfirst interview, leiland james mother, laura corkill, says her son was wrongly taken away from her at birth and would still be alive if he had been left with her. this report from our special correspondent, ed thomas, contains some distressing details. mummy, please don t be sad, i miss you so much, too. i m safe. it s so beautiful up here. but i do worry when i see you cry. the words of laura corkill read at the funeral of her son leiland james.