Overhead aerial wire installation for the Commonwealth Games

Location Birmingham

DETAILS

In July and August 2022, the Alexander Stadium, Birmingham, hosted 30,000 spectators for the Commonwealth Games’ athletics and opening and closing ceremonies.

King Lifting was engaged by Birmingham Ceremonies, the event organiser, to assist with logistical aspects of the event, using our expertise in lifting and moving things safely.

The Games, often referred to as the Friendly Games, is a quadrennial international multi-sport event among athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations.

Over 5000 athletes from 72 nations competed in 280 events in the 10-day schedule, with a para-sport programme integrated into the Games. It was the first major multi-sport game to award more medals to women than men – 136 and 134 respectively.

First, we assisted with the overhead aerial wire installation, using several crane positions with our Liebherr LTM 1060-3.1 on the field of play.

We also assisted with the stage build and helped assemble the automated Bull, made from machinery from Birmingham and West Country factories. The Bull, which became an icon of the games, stands at 10 metres high, is 2.5 tonnes and can emit smoke and cry tears of blood. It was designed, built and mechanised by a team of more than 50 people from a UK-based special effects company.

We were pleased to see the event went off with a bang. The Games began with a carnival of colour at the Alexander Stadium. Local musical heroes, Duran Duran and Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi starred on a night which celebrated Birmingham’s industrial heritage and its multicultural traditions.

Another notable appearance included The Prince of Wales (now King Charles III) and the Duchess of Cornwall arriving in style, driving into the venue in an Aston Martin as part of a convoy of 72 cars which formed a Union Jack when viewed from above.

“We wish to offer a huge thanks to King Lifting for providing the cranes which were a significant contribution in helping us to deliver the two ceremonies that Birmingham and the UK can be proud of. We are so thankful for all their work, dedication, tenacity and kindness throughout this process, to deliver on our exacting requirements, on time and to a world-leading standard” – Birmingham Ceremonies Ltd.

Find out more about the opening ceremony bull, now on public display in Centenary Square.

LOAD TYPE

Overhead aerial wire and Birmingham Bull

WEIGHT

2.5t

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