Archery not to be included on sport programme at Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

The organising committee of the next Commonwealth Games has announced that archery will not be included on the sport programme in Birmingham, UK in 2020. Women’s cricket, beach volleyball and para table tennis have been added.

Archery GB was joined by representatives from World Archery and Archery England to deliver a proposal for an archery competition at the Games during the end of 2018. It focused on archery’s accessibility as a spectator sport, wide grass-roots appeal and included Aston Hall as a suggested venue.

The bid was assessed by a panel from Birmingham 2022, which ultimately decided against recommending archery’s inclusion.

World Archery secretary general Tom Dielen said: “Archery’s proposal to Birmingham 2022 featured world-class competition, inclusive sport engagement initiatives and an opportunity to inspire future athletes across the Commonwealth. The committee from the organiser acknowledged all of this when they communicated the decision earlier today.”

“World Archery is disappointed for archery athletes from across the Commonwealth, especially in light of the excellent results and powerful engagement from Commonwealth countries at the 2019 Hyundai World Archery Championships last week in ’s-Hertogenbosch. At that event, 25% of the available quota places for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games were won by athletes from the Commonwealth, along with several medals.”

“World Archery would like to thank Birmingham 2022 for conducting a transparent selection process for optional sports and congratulates beach volleyball, women’s cricket and para table tennis on being added to the sport programme.”

Archery GB CEO Neil Armitage said: “We are disappointed that despite a comprehensive bid, full support from World Archery and our counterparts in other Commonwealth countries, our case for the inclusion of archery has not been taken up.”

“We will continue to develop archery in Commonwealth countries and work with Birmingham and the West Midlands to make archery accessible to more people and capitalise on the excitement a home Commonwealth Games will bring.”