by Stuart WeirStuart wrote this piece on the revamped Alexander Stadium, which was finished just in time for the Birmingham DL and the 2022 Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Birmingham, England.
Alexander Stadium, photo by Getty Images for British Athletics
Alexander Stadium, revamp
Normally it is the athletes who are center stage but at the recent Birmingham Diamond League, there was a sense in which it was the stadium that was the center of attention. The Alexander Stadium was built in 1975 and is the home of the Birchfield Harriers athletics club of elite, club standard, and youth athletes. Since 2011 it has hosted Diamond Leagues and was for many years the venue for the GB championships. UK Athletics has its HQ in the stadium.
Alexander Stadium, photo by Getty Images for British Athletics
When the city of Birmingham was awarded the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the city council decided to upgrade the stadium from its 12,00 capacity to 18,000 permanently with an additional 14,000 (total 32,000) for the Commonwealth Games. Running from 28 July to 8 August 2022, over 5000 athletes from 72 countries will compete in 20 sports (including track and field) at the Commonwealth Games.
The Diamond League event was also seen as a stewarding and transport test event. Your correspondent can confirm that the shuttle buses had him back in the center of Birmingham very quickly.
Alexander Stadium, photo by Getty Images for British Athletics
Athletes were generally complimentary about the stadium.
Dina Asher-Smith, 200m World Champion said: “Being British I wanted to come to Birmingham in this beautiful new stadium and put on a show.”
David Weir, 800m Wheelchair Men, said: “It was entirely different to when I raced here many moons ago. The stadium is amazing – it feels really new. It will bed in soon.”
Isabelle Boffey, 800m Women, said: “I am based in Birmingham so it is so exciting to have this Stadium here and to have the Commonwealth Games in the city is going to be incredible.”
Alexander Stadium, photo by Getty Images for British Athletics
Omar McLeod, 110m Hurdles Men, said: “It is a fast track for sure, so I am already looking forward to coming back for a fast time at the Commonwealths.”
Laura Muir, 1500m, Women, said: “The track is great, really nice. It is so different from the old Alexander stadium and is really great to be part of it”.
Alexander Stadium, photo by Getty Images for British Athletics
Sandi Morris, pole vault, woman, alluding to previous wind problems in the stadium said: “I would say that today was definitely better than historically. Today you could be patient and wait for it and there would be a tailwind or be dead”.
The stadium was center stage and she did not disappoint.
Alexander Stadium, photo by Getty Images for British Athletics
