makes me proud to be a brummie! birmingham is one of the youngest cities in europe, and it s also one of the most diverse, with large asian, african and caribbean communities. and for some, the occasion hasn t lived up to its motto of games for everyone . for example, the organising board was accused of lacking diversity. changes have been made since. 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 spent all their lives here, people born and here, people 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 are saying, oh, yes, but we embrace our commonwealth family. it does say double standards. the commonwealth games organis
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 walking around today and anyone who has seen anyone in a kit is coming over and saying hello and chatting and it is, you know, really welcoming. so that is something we would definitely like to replicate. protests will take place, too. the games aims to be the most lgbtq+ inclusive yet, but two thirds of competing nations have laws against same sex relationships. in a few hours, the party gets underway here in victoria square. it is the culmination of four years of preparations. phil mackie, bbc news, birmingham. salma zulfiqar is a birmingham artist and human rights activist. five years ago she set up artconnects, a project to empower and cultivate the talent of women from migrant and refugee backgrounds. she s visualised theirjourney through art and has made this into a film that will debut today
they want to celebrate birmingham, with a mock canal and brickwork heralding its industrial past, and graffiti and skateboard ramps celebrating its gritty present. and we ve also been told to watch out for exactly how the royal guests arrive. 0rganisers say it s the biggest in the event s history. prince charles will represent the queen tonight and performances will include local music and dance groups, emphasising birmingham s diversity. more than 5,000 athletes from 72 nations and territories will take part over the next 11 days. athletes will compete in 19 sports and 280 medal events and for the first time there will be more medals for women than for men and the games will include a fully integrated para sport programme. phil mackie reports. cheering and applause. the queen s baton is on its final leg. first stop, birmingham s jewellery quarter, where the medals that they ll be competing
payouts to shareholders, as uk households come under pressure from rising energy bills. and stars are paying tribute to actor bernard cribbins, famous for his many roles including in doctor who, the wombles and the original railway children, who has died at the age of 93. hello, welcome to the programme. the opening ceremony for the commonwealth games 2022 is getting underway at the alexander stadium in birmingham. organisers say it s the biggest in the event s history. prince charles will represent the queen tonight and performances will include local music and dance groups, emphasising birmingham s diversity. more than 5,000 athletes from 72 nations and territories will take part over the next 11 days. phil mackie reports.
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. i m joined now by our sports editor dan roan. is we just heard, there s a lot riding on of these games? for many, it remains a riding on of these games? for many, it remains a real riding on of these games? for many, it remains a realjewel riding on of these games? for many, it remains a realjewel in riding on of these games? for many, it remains a realjewel in the - it remains a realjewel in the sporting calendar, and some of the finest