Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed his favourite sport for the upcoming Commonwealth Games as he visited Alexander Stadium on Thursday afternoon (12th).
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street joined the Prime Minister as he met Birchfield Harriers Athletics Club members at the stadium that will be the centre point of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The unexpected visit comes after Birmingham 2022 took over the stadium from Birmingham City Council earlier this week. The trip gave the Prime Minister a preview of what’s to come this summer.
With the Commonwealth Games 77 days away, the Prime Minister chatted with former Commonwealth Games gold medalist heptathlete Kelly Sotherton. When asked about his own favourite sport for the Games, the Prime Minister gave an unexpected answer.
“I like the sound of these lawn bowls, which is about my level, really. It’s not quite true, and I play lots of stuff,” he said.
“I’m thrilled to hear about lawn bowls, and the globe is going to be tuned into lawn bowls at Leamington Spa around the world.
UK Prime Minister visited Alexander Stadium this afternoon ahead of Birmingham hosting the Commonwealth Games
“Countries on every continent are going to be watching lawn bowls at Leamington Spa, and isn’t that fantastic? Then there’s going to be beach volleyball somewhere near the Bullring, the aquatics centre in Sandwell. “The cricket in Edgbaston, that will be good. The women’s cricket will be amazing.
“And then Birchfield Harriers Athletics Club (Alexander Stadium) has been totally transformed. It’s going to be a global venue.
“I promise you, and people will love it. The world will be tuned into the West Midlands, and they will like what they see.”
The Prime Minister also shared his thoughts on whether he expects the Queen to be in attendance. Mr Johnson referred back to the Queen’s part to play in the London 2012 Olympics in which she “parachuted” out of a helicopter alongside James Bond actor Daniel Craig.
“I very much hope so. We’ll have to see and wait how well we get on with that,” he said.
“She parachuted into the London Olympics. So I’ll rule nothing out.”
