Homeward Bound

August 08, 2022

Yesterday was my last shift, and the busiest so far, lasting just over 12 hours. As the day passed, and the gold medals awarded, it became clear that the Games were coming to an end. Even as competition continued, those parts of the venue no longer in use were starting to be cleared/dismantled - getting the venue ready for whatever next will be coming into the NEC. The crowds were large, and weather good (25C), and the Games continued to deliver.

A quick look at daily step rates, with lowest being 8,864 (non-working rest day) to the highest yesterday at 17,017 - not surprising given the length of shift.

Congratulations to Australia on winning their 1000th Commonwealth Gold (the ‘Diamonds’ success in Netball). Australia top the medal table, with England coming up close behind in second place - due to the four Home Nations competing separately as opposed to the Team GB at other major events.

Yesterday morning the Standing Mens 8-10 Table Tennis was won by Wales - and when ‘Hen Wlad Fy Nhadua’ was played, for the first time there was a loud singing of the anthem to be heard in Hall 3. One of the Competition Officials from Glasgow thought it was truly magical to hear.

While the competition remained of high standard, the food did not. They did provide a Sunday special - a choice of a cold sausage or vegetarian roll. It was definitely not from Greggs, and was unattractive to look at and even worse to taste. Back to the ‘Know your Bins’ - the food waste one had mysteriously disappeared over the last few days, leaving just 2 - Mixed Recycling and General Waste.

As the evening approached, one of the Team discovered that the Cornish Pastie shop (one of the concessions in the concourse) was selling off their remaining pasties for £1.50 compared to the normal price of £4.80. It was the first time for 9 days we had anything hot to eat for lunch or dinner!

During the day we had the opportunity for a quick team photo in a a cleverly constructed arrangement of table tennis balls. Before we left for the evening, even that had disappeared and the floor covering started to be removed. As the sterile area is removed from today onwards, there will be the need for PPE (Hard Hat etc) as each Hall and its surrounding area become deconstruction areas.

The last boxing event in Hall 4 saw the local boxer, Delicious Orie, win the super heavy weight Gold Medal to the delight of the home crowd. The cheering, the strains of Jerusalem, and the clapping and foot stomping could be heard throughout the NEC precinct. It was a fitting end for the Brummies.

We have had a small team, supported by volunteers and venue/hall staff. Everyone has enjoyed their work, and the Commonwealth Games continued to live up to its moniker ‘The Friendly Games’.

Working with the Hall Managers, Competition Managers, Media Staff and Production Staff has made our job much easier. Be it Start Lists, seating, supplies of bottled water etc - nothing was too much trouble. At the end of the shift it was a grateful thanks to them all. Some of the Competition Managers have spent 2 years preparing for the Games, and will be moving on to other events in due course.

Over 14,000 people comprising officials, volunteers and support staff have worked to deliver these Games for both athletes and spectators. The workforce have come from a variety of backgrounds, experience and locations - Brummie, West Midlands and afar (national and international).

Leaving the venue for the last time, and walking back to the hotel, taking the escalator up to the overbridge, the Welcome to the Games sign was still illuminated. No doubt that light will be dimmed later today, awaiting for whatever next is in the NEC.

The overbridge to the International Station was eerily quiet - the majority of staff and volunteers already having left. 10 mins later it is back into the hotel to share a well deserved cold drink in the bar with our other team members - while most of us come from the UK, we had some international staff, from Aruba, Canada and New Zealand.

The real winner in all of this is Birmingham. The City and its people have embraced the Games and made it as friendly as one could ever expect. The people of Smethwick have a brand new swimming complex, while Perry Barr and British Athletics have an upgraded stadium, able to hold 18,000 spectators.

The weather has been good, and there have been iconic moments both on and off the Field of Play. Athletes from all over the Commonwealth have competed, be they small or large teams. They have won, they have lost, but overall they have competed in the true spirit of the Commonwealth Games (second in size to the Olympics).

Who was the overall star or the Games? Was it local boy made good with Gold, elite stars delivering again, or just those who complete their discipline and gain the respect of the crowd wherever they have been placed in their competition? It is all of the competitors, the staff and volunteers who have worked long hours to give the enthusiastic spectators and the wider television audience 10 days of enjoyment.

What was the overall star of the Games? Simple to answer - The Raging Bull. It will be in Centenary Square long after competitors and staff have returned home, leaving Birmingham with a legacy of when it was known as B2022 for 10 days.