Training venue for Commonwealth Games swimmers is confirmed

Team England’s swimmers will complete their final preparations for the Commonwealth Games at the University of Birmingham’s 50m pool.

The venue has today been announced as the official training facility for all athletes competing in the swimming event, which begins at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre on Friday 29 July.

Grant Robins, Team England’s swimming team leader for the Commonwealth Games, said the pool will provide the perfect transition from the squad’s holding camp to the competition venue.

It is part of the £55 million University of Birmingham Sport and Fitness Club, which was opened in May 2017, and is the city’s only 50m swimming pool.

Grant said: “The University of Birmingham is a key stakeholder to our success next year and the pool will help with our preparation.

“We will utilise this as best as possible once we are in the village for our final few days before kick off. 

Fantastic news

“This pool, and Sandwell, will provide all we need in those few days.

“Having our holding camp at the University of Loughborough and then leading into Birmingham will provide the perfect transition into the Games.”

Matt Kidson, Director of Sport for Birmingham 2022, said: “Following our public search for venues which we launched last year, it’s great to be able to confirm the facilities that we have now selected as official training venues for the Games. 

“We had a great response with more than 40 applications from facilities across the region. We would like to thank everyone that applied, and we look forward to working with the venues that have been selected, to ensure that we provide the world-class training facilities for all of the athletes taking part in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.”

Nigel Huddleston, Commonwealth Games Minister, added: “This is fantastic news for all the sites that will help athletes achieve their best at Birmingham 2022.

“I hope that having world-class athletes training in schools, universities and sport clubs on their doorstep will inspire West Midlands residents to get active and involved in the Games next summer.”