in sandwell, one of the most diverse and densely populated parts of the city. this place has never had a resource like this before. but now it s got an aquatics centre. i feel extremely lucky because i don t think it will just affect us, it will affect future generations. in, like, 20 years time, yeah, i was there, yeah, i was there, i saw all this happen. the centre has been stitched into smethwick in sandwell borough. by next year, it will be a multipurpose facility. for this community, it is a gateway to sport that, without the games, would not be here. ijoined smethwick swimming club when i was 11. we were fortunate to have pools close by, but nothing like we are going to have now. we ve talked about this for a long time, we have dreamed about it. it is real now. and it is just going to give so many opportunities for youngsters from around here. for someone who has been involved in smethwick swimming for so long, what does it mean to you to have
this venue at these commonwealth games? well, i m speechless. itjust is so amazing. and the fact that this event is going to come to smethwick and people all around the world are going to be watching is just so amazing. it s usually something that happens somewhere else. we feel an incredible responsibility for putting on a brilliant games for birmingham, the west midlands and the rest of the country, and, you know, showing what britain s is all about a welcoming, inclusive society where everybody gets on. and, do you know what, it is a privilege to do that, but a responsibility, as well. it starts tonight at the alexander stadium, which has gone from local track to national emblem. in four years there s been lock downs and setbacks, but across this city, they are ready. joe lynskey, bbc news, birmingham. we rejoined by ian reid, chief executive of the commonwealth games.
those who would not normally have the opportunity to participate a chance to be part of something special. we work with young people from the age of two, three to 19. where are they? in bed having a lie in. education is a huge part of our organisation, as well. i in. education is a huge part of our organisation, as well. in. education is a huge part of our organisation, as well. i am grateful to ou, organisation, as well. i am grateful to you. getting organisation, as well. i am grateful to you. getting up organisation, as well. i am grateful to you. getting up so organisation, as well. i am grateful to you, getting up so early - organisation, as well. i am grateful to you, getting up so early this - to you, getting up so early this morning. to you, getting up so early this morninu. . . to you, getting up so early this morninu. ., ., ., to you, getting up so early this mornin.. ., ., ., ., ., ., morning. have a great commonwealth games. morning. have a great commonwealth games-
they have dreams. i am going to i leave you to look after the men and i will head over here and take you guys over to meet adam. as you can see, it is going. adam, good morning. how are we? good, thank ou. how morning. how are we? good, thank you- how about morning. how are we? good, thank you. how about you? morning. how are we? good, thank you. how about you? good, - morning. how are we? good, thank you. how about you? good, thank i morning. how are we? good, thank- you. how about you? good, thank you. commonwealth you. how about you? good, thank you. commonwealth games you. how about you? good, thank you. commonwealth games on you. how about you? good, thank you. commonwealth games on home - you. how about you? good, thank you. commonwealth games on home turf. i you. how about you? good, thank you. i commonwealth games on home turf. are ou commonwealth games on home turf. are you excited chris white yes, it s a great you excited chris white yes, it s a great honour for it