The 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham ended this week. This year's games were the only major multi-sport event with an integrated para program, and this year it's the biggest program in history, with 43 events across eight sports.
Viewing figures were high, with over 5 million people tuning in across the country for the opening ceremony. This year's games hoped to build on the momentum of sport this Summer, with England's Lionesses' triumph opening up new conversations on diversity in sport.
A total of 386 para-athletes participated across 31 teams, although some athletes may have entered in more than one event/sport. And altogether, over 5,000 athletes (Disabled and non-disabled) from 72 teams competed in Birmingham across 21 sports.
Anna Denham, Programme Manager at Get Yourself Active said:
"The Commonwealth Games 2022 has showcased what inclusivity in competitive sport can look like. Since 2002 when the Games were held in Manchester, Disabled athletes have - quite rightly, but not before time – been included as full members of their national teams.
We are also witnessing para-sport and non-disabled sport running simultaneously, and not as two separate events, as we so often see in other competitions, such as the Olympics and the Paralympics. There has been an increase of para sports this year too, with eight sports represented.
Of course, there is still a long way to go to make sport and physical activity truly inclusive and representative across the board, and we won't stop working towards our goal of achieving this. However, positive models such as the Commonwealth Games are very welcome. Let's hope more sporting organisations take note and follow suit."