One of the biggest events this year is the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England. Some of the biggest stars worldwide will be in action, as over 5,000 athletes compete across 20 sports.
This will be the third time that England has hosted the prestigious event, with the most recent coming 20 years ago. Manchester hosted the 2002 Commonwealth Games. This year’s event also marks ten years since the United Kingdom hosted the Olympic Games.
What Sports Will Be Taking Place?
It looks set to be one of the most exciting Commonwealth Games that we have seen in many years, as 20 sports will be offering athletes the chance to win medals. Medals will be up for grabs in 280 different events, which range from track and field to other sporting events, such as netball and cycling. The vast majority of the big action will be taking place at the developed Alexander Stadium, which will host all 58 events that are held in athletics.
Meanwhile, other areas across the West Midlands will host badminton, beach volleyball, and gymnastics. For the first time, women’s cricket has been included in the Commonwealth Games schedule, as Australia, England and India lead the likely contenders for success at Edgbaston on August 7. But, it could be in the pool where we see the most competitive action.
Aquatics At Commonwealth Games
No other sport boasts as many chances for medal hopes as aquatics. In total there are 64 medals up for grabs in Birmingham this year for the swimming competitions, with 52 medals available for the male and female stars that are competing. The remaining 12 medals will be for the diving.
The swimming events get underway first, as the action in this discipline is staged between July 29 and August 3 at Sandwell Aquatics Center. Then, the diving gets underway on August 4, with the final gold medals handed out on August 10 at Sandwell Aquatics Center. Which athletes have the best chances of coming away with gold medals this summer?
Emma McKeon
Australian Emma McKeon. is one of the most exciting participants in the women's 100m butterfly. The Aussie has already openly stated that she is targeting a Commonwealth record in the pool this summer, and she is likely to be a leading contender and a winning bet for the event. Few could argue against the 28-year-old from New South Wales achieving that feat, as she has been dominant in the pool over the previous three years.
Emma won World Championship gold in the 4x100m freestyle and dominated in the 50m and 100m freestyle events at the Olympics last summer. McKeon will be looking for a ninth Commonwealth gold medal this summer, after winning eight previous top prizes and four bronze medals.
Ariarne Titmus
Further success in the pool could also be on the agenda for Australia, as Ariarne Titmus looks to have a solid chance of reclaiming the gold medal that she won in Australia four years ago. The 21-year-old is reigning Olympic champion in both the 400m freestyle and 200m freestyle, and currently holds the world record for the short course and long course at 400m freestyle.
Last summer was a standout summer for Titmus, as she won two golds, one silver, and one bronze in Tokyo. At the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, she won golds in the 400m freestyle, 800m freestyle, and 4x200m freestyle. She also captured bronze in the 200m freestyle.
Adam Peaty
Away from the Australian contenders, there looks set to be a very familiar face at the top of the podium in some of the men’s events. It will be a special summer for Adam Peaty, as the Birmingham games will almost be like a home championship for the 27-year-old, as he was born just a short distance away in Uttoxeter. Peaty holds the world records in both the 50m and 100m breaststroke events, and is unbeaten in both major competitions since 2014.
That has seen the Englishman win eight consecutive world championship golds, and ensures that he is the most successful British swimmer of all time. Peaty enjoyed an excellent summer in Tokyo last year, as he won the gold medals in both 100m breaststroke and the 4x100m mixed medley. He will be looking to defend the gold that he won in the 100m breaststroke on the Gold Coast four years ago.
Conclusion
The swimming events are often some of the most exciting to take place at any multi-sport event, and that will be the case once again at the Commonwealth Games this summer. Be sure to stay up to date with the latest calendar of events to ensure that you don’t miss out on the biggest stars in action.
