Athletics legends, Tessa Sanderson, David Moorcroft, and Hannah England have been appointed as the Village Mayors at the three campus villages where athletes and team officials will be staying during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The three former athletes were selected as they all have a strong connection to the host region.
David comes from Coventry, Tessa is originally from Wolverhampton and competed for Wolverhampton and Bilston Athletic Club and Hannah has lived in Birmingham for many years, having studied at the University of Birmingham.
As part of their formal duties, the Village Mayors, will represent Birmingham 2022 and offer a friendly welcome to Commonwealth teams. They will attend the athlete Welcome Ceremonies, which include a performance by local students called 1000 Welcomes, a speech from the Village Mayor and Chef de Mission, and the raising of the nation or territory’s flag whilst the national anthem is played.
Tessa, Hannah and David will bring a wealth of sporting knowledge to the role as well as an understanding of what it is like to compete at the highest levels of sporting competition, including at the Commonwealth Games where between them, they have appeared on eight occasions. The campus villages will start to welcome athletes and team officials from the 22 July. From this date onwards, athletes can also start using the training venues across the West Midlands, prior to the start of the sporting action on 29 July.
David Moorcroft, a former 5,000m world record holder and a Commonwealth gold medallist over 1500m and 5000m, has been appointed as the Village Mayor for the University of Warwick campus village and said: “I am thrilled to take on the role of Village Mayor for the athlete village at the University of Warwick. A home Games is hugely exciting, for both current and former athletes and the opportunity to celebrate the region, it’s sporting excellence and rich culture with visiting athletes, is something I am very proud to be involved in.”
Tessa Sanderson, Olympic gold medallist and triple Commonwealth Games gold medallist has been appointed as the Village Mayor for the NEC campus village and said: “It is fantastic to have been chosen as Village Mayor for the athlete village and look forward to greeting athletes from across the Commonwealth.
“Birmingham has always had a special place in my heart and during international competitions, athlete villages are a unique space for the teams. I can’t wait to see the village come alive, when all the athletes have arrived. The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games is going to be a really special moment for the region, close to where I grew up and my early athletic career”.
Hannah England, Commonwealth athlete and World silver medallist has been appointed as the Village Mayor for the University of Birmingham and said: “Being selected as the Village Mayor for the athlete village at the University of Birmingham is a real honour. Having trained, competed, studied and worked in Birmingham, the city has a really special place in my heart. I am really proud to be representing Birmingham 2022 and welcoming athletes to the city and region.”
John Crabtree, Chairman of the Birmingham 2022 Board, said: “We are thrilled to welcome these three athletics legends as figureheads for our athlete villages. Hannah, David and Tessa will help ensure a warm welcome is given to visiting athletes, on behalf of Birmingham 2022.Our three village mayors will help welcome, encourage, and support athletes before and during the Games.”
