Brum times

A guide to following the Kiwi athletes going for gold at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

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The Common-wealth Games arrive in Britain’s second-biggest city, Birmingham, at a curious time. It coincides with the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, who’s the head of the Commonwealth, and the protracted demise of her prime minister, Boris Johnson.

Still, despite the UK’s political and economic crisis, those parts of the world that inherited the Westminster system and lawn bowls will be sending their finest in 19 sports and eight para-sports. For many, it’s the first major international event after a pandemic-disrupted build-up.

Some 72 nations and territories are sending about 6500 athletes and officials to Birmingham and competitors will be contesting 283 medal events, most of which will be won by Australia, yet again.

The Kiwi contingent will include 233 competitors. Among those defending their Commonwealth titles from the 2018 Gold Coast games are the Black Ferns, the All Blacks Sevens and Black Sticks Women.

As well, there is mountain biker Sam Gaze, track cyclist Sam Webster, squash players Joelle King and Amanda Landers-Murphy, shot-putter Tom Walsh, hammer-thrower Julia Ratcliff e, weightlifter David Liti and para swimmer Dame Sophie Pascoe.

For couch-bound Kiwi supporters, the UK is 11 hours behind NZ time. So live viewing will be mid-evening into the wee small hours for daytime events in Birmingham, with evening sessions there translating to breakfast watching here.