Liverpool has been selected as the host city for the 2022 World Artistic Gymnastic Championships, bringing the event to the UK for an impressive third time. The announcement demonstrates how gymnastics in the UK continues to go from strength to strength and make an impact on the world stage.
The unanimous decision by the Federation of International Gymnastics (FIG) follows a combined bid between British Gymnastics, Liverpool City Council and UK Sport. It is a sign of continued confidence in British Gymnastics and UK Sport who have worked together for more than 10 years to win and deliver major international events. The success of the award-winning 2015 World Championships in Glasgow, alongside the bid’s promise to create the most innovative World Artistic Gymnastics Championships yet, impressed the FIG Council.
The Championships will be held at Echo Arena Liverpool. Liverpool is one of the gymnastics strongholds in the UK and has a longstanding relationship with British Gymnastics, staging British Championships at the prestigious city venue since 2011. Many World and Olympic medallists hail from the region, the most decorated being bid-supporter, Beth Tweddle MBE.
The 2022 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships will be one of the largest international sporting events ever to be held in Liverpool with an estimated 600 gymnasts from 90 countries taking part in 10 days of competition. The local economic impact of the event is estimated at £5.1 million.
British Gymnastics Chief Executive Officer, Jane Allen, said: “We are delighted Liverpool has been selected to host the 2022 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. What an exciting year it’s going to be with the 2022 Commonwealth Games also taking place on home soil. The World Championships should be a qualifying event for the 2024 Olympic Games so expect to see the World’s absolute best at Liverpool 2022 including many international Olympic stars.
“The bid process saw us join forces with Liverpool City Council and the Government’s major events agency UK Sport, to provide a compelling bid which impressed the FIG. We now all look forward to continuing our work together to provide a fantastic experience for gymnasts and spectators alike.”
Sports Minister Tracey Crouch said: “This is fantastic news for Liverpool and the whole country. The UK has a brilliant track record for putting on the biggest sporting events and showcasing the best of Britain to the world.
“It’s events like this, as well as the brilliant recent performances of our gymnasts, that inspire the next generation. I know that Liverpool will put on an excellent World Championships.”
Joe Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool, said: “It is a huge sporting coup for Liverpool to host the World Gymnastics Championships in 2022 and a unique opportunity to showcase the city to a global audience.
“Liverpool has a fantastic track record in nurturing gymnastic talent, like Beth, and we’ve fostered a great relationship with British Gymnastics so the 2022 World Championships will be a great way to celebrate our decade-long journey together and kick-start the countdown to the Paris Olympics.
“With our world class facilities, brilliant partners and unbelievably passionate crowds we look forward to giving the sport of gymnastics a World Championships to remember.”
Beth Tweddle MBE said “I’m thrilled to see this prestigious event coming to my home town. That would have inspired me so much as a young gymnast.”
Simon Morton, Chief Operating Officer at UK Sport, said: “The success of the bid to secure the 2022 World Artistic Gymnastic Championships is a testament to the strong partnership between the government, British Gymnastics and the city. On behalf of the government, UK Sport is leading the acquisition of major sporting events into the 2020s and we are delighted to add such a pinnacle championship to the roster. The National Lottery investment into this event will ensure it is truly world class, innovative and inspirational.”
Morinari Watanabe, the FIG President said “The Glasgow Worlds became, for the FIG, a reference point for the staging of Gymnastics. The bid that British Gymnastics presented us is promising another great event in a city with a real love for the sport, and this is something for us to celebrate.”
The 2022 World Artistic Gymnastic Championships will be the 51st edition and delivered in partnership between British Gymnastics and Liverpool City Council with financial support from The National Lottery through UK Sport.
Liverpool will join an elite list of cities that have hosted the World Artistic Gymnastic Championships including Doha (2018), Montreal (1985 and 2017), Glasgow (2015), Tokyo (2011), London (2009), Melbourne (2005), Lausanne (1997), Brisbane (1994) and Paris (1992).
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