Commonwealth Games closing ceremony: Latest news, pictures from Birmingham 2022
It just had to be an Ozzy — well, Ozzy Osbourne. The music legend made a shock appearance at the Birmingham closing ceremony as Victoria was officially handed the reins for 2026.
The message couldn’t have been clearer — Victoria has issued an open invitation to everyone to head Down Under in four year’s time for its Commonwealth Games extravaganza.
Birmingham lived up to the hype of being the “party games”, giving the kiss of life to a struggling international sporting event.
SCROLL DOWN TO RECAP THE OPENING CEREMONY AND FOR MORE PICTURES, PLUS THE FINAL MEDAL TALLY
And Victoria has promised the Commonwealth it would keep up the momentum., with the emphasis on making everyone feel welcome.
The spectacular closing ceremony in Birmingham early on Tuesday morning took up where the opening left off — celebrating the Commonwealth’s most talented athletes and showcasing a region of the UK that is loud, proud and knows how to have fun.
The entertainment was brought by Birmingham legends Dexy’s Midnight Runners and Ub40 — and headliner Ozzy Osbourne, who proclaimed he loved us all — plus Australian talents Baker Boy, Vanessa Amorosi and Taylor Henderson. It’s finale handed over the baton to the organisers of Victoria 2026 in a ceremony focused on inclusion and community.
In an emotional sequence, fuelled by the music of local act Jacob Banks, English hockey star Laura Unsworth handed the Commonwealth Games federation to flag onto Barrie Lester, who then handed it onto Ms Dessau.
Victorian elders Aunty Lena Morris, Uncle Rodney Carter, Aunty Joy Oldaker and Uncle Andrew Gardiner performed a smoking ceremony and issued an official invite to “Naarm 2026”. The emotional moment was closed out by indigenous rapper Baker Boy, who performed his song Meditjin in his native tongue.
In keeping with the heartfelt acknowledgment of Australia’s traditional owners the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags were waved on stage with the Australian flag. The only mishap was when a video message talking about the future for Britain’s young people and encouraging support for Sport Relief was played in full without any sound to the packed stadium in an awkward moment. Prince Edward, the life patron of the Commonwealth Federation, then addressed the crowd saying that the Commonwealth Games “had inspired us”.
“Every four years we endeavour to come together to celebrate our Commonwealth through sport,” he said.
“I call upon the athletes from all countries and territories to gather in four-years time in Victoria, Australia to celebrate the 23rd Commonwealth Games.” Fittingly the night closed out with an explosive performance by Birmingham’s own Ozzy Osbourne with his band Black Sabbath. Leading the Australians into the stadium was popular Commonwealth Games diver, Melissa Wu, who boasts a career total of five medals. Wu led an Australian contingent of 250 athletes and officials as the team celebrates one of its most successful games in history with the medal tally standing at 65 gold 54 silver and 53 bronze – a total of 172 before the final day.
The team also ticked over to 1001 gold medals at the Commonwealth Games, the most of any country.
Wu, who began her career as a 14 year old in Melbourne in 2006, said the world-first concept of spreading the event across regional Victoria was “amazing”. She said it would allow kids to be exposed to sports they might not have had a chance to see before. Team Australia’s chef de mission Petria Thomas said the Games had a very special feeling that would endure when the Games come home to Victoria.
“To see the looks on our athletes faces when they are able to get out, whether it be a personal best performance, or a medal, or they are just enjoying themselves in their competition, it reminds you of why you do it,” Thomas said. “It’s fantastic the Games are coming back to Australia in regional Victoria.”
If you’ve missed any of the coverage from our Commonwealth Games team in Birmingham, click on the link below to head to our hub for every major talking point.
MICHAEL KLEIN’S BEST PICS FROM THE CLOSING CEREMONY
LIVE COVERAGE
7.13AM AND THAT’S IT FOR THE CLOSING CEREMONY
What an 11 days of competition it was. Thanks for following our coverage of Birmingham 2022. We have brought you all the Aussie medals and news from every angle. We hope you've enjoyed it as much as we have.
7.08AM OZZY, BLACK SABBATH IN SURPRISE PERFORMANCE
“Birmingham forever” — Ozzy Osbourne leaves the crowd wanting more after a surprise performance from Black Sabbath to close the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
Well I turned the closing ceremony at the Commonwealth Games on just in time for Ozzy
— Peter Lyall (@missedmycue) August 8, 2022
to shout "Birmingham forever!".
Ozzy Osborne shouting "Birmingham Forever" was the perfect way to finish!
— Mae (@MaeSimkin) August 8, 2022
If ever there was a perfect example of ultimate human physical fitness to close the Commonwealth Games...oh hang on, it's Ozzy Osborne #CommonwealthGames2022
— Dave Greenfield (@daveg6647) August 8, 2022
This is what makes England great ….
— Karl Cunliffe (@KDCunliffe) August 8, 2022
Wheeling out Ozzy Osbourne for a global closing ceremony 😀
Brilliant 😀#commonwealthgames#BBCCommonwealths#bbcsport#bbc#cwg2022#Birmingham22#Birmingham2022#B2022#closingceremony#paranoid#ozzyosbourne#BIRMINGHAMpic.twitter.com/qsjz83RUBQ
6.44AM BIRMINGHAM HANDS OVER TO VICTORIA
Lawn bowler Barrie Lester has handed the Commonwealth flag to Victorian governor Linda Dessau and ceremony featuring four elders has taken place. Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong and Gippsland featured in a video package while Geelong performer Taylor Henderson sung. There was also a tribute to Victorian athletes and a performance from rapper Baker Boy. Vanessa Amarosi also performed, representing regional Victoria where the games will next be held.
6.38AM DAVID DIXON AWARD — FENG TIANWEI, SINGAPORE
Legendary table tennis athlete Feng Tianwei has won the David Dixon award for Birmingham 2022. The award is given to an athlete for performance, fair play and their contribution to the Commonwealth.
6.36AM DAME LOUISE MARTIN SPEAKING
The president of the Commonwealth Games Federation Dame Louise Martin describes the Birmingham games as “bold and buzzing”.
“As we bring these games to a close please remember this is not the end … every Brummie, every volunteer, every single Commonwealth athlete is helping to write a new chapter in our history.”
6.30AM THE OFFICIAL THANKS BEGIN
John Crabtree OBE, chair of the organising committee, is speaking. Here’s a sample of his quotes:
“These are the games which welcomed the Commonwealth to the heart of England.
“With more medals for women than men, the largest Commonwealth Games integrated para sports program and a setting of our own very high bars.
He thanked the limitless 14,000 volunteers, who helped mark what makes Birmingham so special.
“We call Birmingham 22 the games for everyone and that remains our ambition.”
6.18AM PEAKY BLINDERS MAKES AN APPEARANCE
Perhaps one of the best-known Birmingham exports in the past decade, Peaky Blinders just had to feature in the closing ceremony didn’t it? The dancers look like they’re straight off the set.
6.13AM WHO DOESN’T LOVE A MUSICAL THROWBACK?
UB40, Apache Indian and Musical Youth are among the acts which have rocked the closing ceremony.
5.54AM THE ATHLETES ARE ENJOYING THEMSELVES
The TV commentators in Australia described it as a much less structured event than the opening ceremony and this maybe somes up the closing ceremony atmosphere best. It’s a big party in Birmingham!
Some of the England lads walking into the stadium with pints and high fiving the dancers 😂
— David Coverdale (@dpcoverdale) August 8, 2022
5,45AM FLAG BEARERS ENTERING
After a tribute to Birmingham’s rebuild after the war, the flag bearers are entering the stadium.
The closing ceremony has begun. ðŸ˜#ClosingCeremony | #B2022 | #CommonwealthGamespic.twitter.com/pGFIV1KE0z
— Commonwealth Sport (@thecgf) August 8, 2022
5.42AM CLOSING CEREMONY UNDERWAY
The closing ceremony is underway at Alexander Stadium, featuring a tribute to the ‘engine room’ of England and the industry of Birmingham. British band Dexys had the crowd singing along with their biggest hit Come on Eileen.
DIVING LEGEND TO CARRY AUSSIE FLAG
Erin Smith
The 2026 Victoria Games have the potential to change the future of the Commonwealth Games but Australian diving legend Melissa Wu says it will do a lot more than just keep the event relevant.
Wu, 30, who made her debut at the Melbourne Games in 2006 as a 14-year-old – now has five Commonwealth Games appearances to her name. She has been announced as the nation’s flag bearer for the closing ceremony.
It came on the back of her winning yet another gold in the 10m women’s synchronised dive alongside 14-year-old Charli Petrov.
While unsure if she would still be competing come the 2026 Games, Wu said the world-first concept of spreading the event across regional Victoria was “amazing”.
She said it would allow kids to be exposed to sports they might not have had a chance to see before.
“For us to have kids who have never seen diving before become exposed to it is great, but it means they also have the facilities to go and give diving a go,” Wu said.
“At the moment we are lucky to have one facility in each state, you can’t just go down the road and say I want to be a diver, you have to access to the facilities and what happens in most cases is athletes have to drive a long way to train.
“It will be great not just for diving but for all sports to get exposure.”
If the model is successful it is expected to pave the way for countries and regions who have never hosted a Commonwealth Games to be able to throw their hats in the ring.
“Pretty much all of my Games, except for Delhi in 2010, have been in Australia or the UK,” Wu said.
“So I think that being able to open it up is really exciting going forward. As an athlete it is awesome when you get to travel and be exposed to different people and cultures. You don’t just grow as an athlete but as a person as well.”
Unlike the closing ceremony in Tokyo, where Wu won her first individual Olympic medal, a bronze in the 10m platform, Alexander Stadium will be full of spectators for the affair.
“I remember just walking into the opening in Tokyo and seeing the empty stadium and thinking this would have been phenomenal if it could have been done under normal circumstances,” Wu said.
“I’m so excited to march out and represent Australia,” she said.
“You don’t do what we do for these sorts of things but it is nice to be recognised and chosen to do something like this is a massive honour for me.
“After all this time around leading not just the diving team but the whole team into the stadium is going to be such a special moment for me.”
Closing Ceremony plans as Victoria prepares for 2026
—Jacquelin Magnay
Four elders from the traditional owners Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung, Wadawurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung and Gunaikurnai will invite the Commonwealth Games to their Victorian lands in 2026.
In a first for the Commonwealth Games Federation, the elders will be part of the official hand over at the closing ceremony on Tuesday morning, where Birmingham will officially pass the baton to Victoria 2026.
The Elders from the lands on which Melbourne, Geelong and Ballarat, Bendigo and Gippsland will each present a carved message stick to Commonwealth Games Federation President, Dame Louise Martin.
WHAT TIME: THE SHOW STARTS AT 5:00AM AEST
The message stick is an invitation to walk on Country in 2026 when Victoria will stage the Commonwealth Games in regional areas from March 17-19, 2026.
Minister Treaty and First Peoples Gabrielle Williams said: “First Peoples traditional and contemporary culture will be at the heart of our performance in the Handover Ceremony, just as they will be at the centre of the Commonwealth Games in Victoria 2026.”
The Victorian regional concept is a first for the Games, and a forerunner for a coalition of smaller countries and regions in the Pacific and Africa to bid for future Games.
Assisting the Elders will be Victorian singers, rap musician Baker Boy, whose real name is Danzal Baker, Vanessa Amorosi, and Geelong’s singer-songwriter Taylor Henderson.
Commonwealth Games Delivery Jacinta Allan said: “Victoria 2026 will be handed the baton and will be ready to invite athletes and spectators from around the world to experience everything our amazing regions have to offer during the Birmingham Closing Ceremony.’’
“We are proud that the immensely talented Baker Boy and the four Elders are playing such an important part in the Closing Ceremony in Birmingham.”
During the handover the Commonwealth Games flag will be handed to the Governor of Victoria, Linda Dessau.
The closing ceremony was helped by four young Victorians from regional TAFEs who worked in stage management, administration and event production during the rehearsals in Melbourne.
SPECIAL ROLE FOR VICTORIAN LAWN BOWLER
Victorian lawn bowler Barrie Lester has been given the honour of carrying out one of the key roles at the Closing Ceremony for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Australia’s most prolific medallist in lawn bowls, with four separate pieces of silverware bearing his name, including a silver in Birmingham – Lester will hand over the Commonwealth Games Federation flag to Victorian Governor Linda Dessau when it’s taken down in England’s West Midland on Tuesday morning.
As part of Commonwealth Games tradition, an athlete from the host nation always hands over the flag to an athlete from the next host country before it gets passed to officials.
Lester, who turned 40 in January this year, was chosen for the honour because of his outstanding record and his links with regional Victoria, where most of the 2026 Commonwealth Games will take place.
He was born at Bendigo Base Hospital across the road from what lawns bowls venue for 2026.
He has represented Australia at three Commonwealth Games – Melbourne 2006, Gold Coast 2018, Birmingham 2022 and won medals each time, bronze (2006), two silvers (2018) and another silver this time.
Lester had already left Birmingham and was on a European holiday when he received a phone call asking him to return to take part in the handover but had no hesitation.
“I was actually in Spain just having a fun time over there in the sun for a few days and then playing some golf and heading home,” he said.
“I got asked the other day ‘what does it mean to win a medal?’ And I said, ‘the colour of the medal is cosmetic.
“A medal is a symbol of the hard work and help that the other people who got you there and to be able to do this is another one of those (achievements).”
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