Military personnel could be mobilized to provide additional assistance after CHAOTIC scenes on the first day of the Commonwealth Games… with scanning and stewarding issues leading to long queues in Birmingham
- Army members are part of Commonwealth Games operation
- Organizers announced earlier on Friday that 1.3 million tickets had been sold
- Birmingham breaks visitor record for a Games in the UK
- But 15 minutes after the gym night session started, spectators were still sitting outside the Birmingham Arena
Army personnel could be asked to provide additional assistance after scanning and stewarding issues led to long queues on the opening day of competition at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Members of the military are part of the Games’ supply operation and were on duty at the opening ceremony at Alexander Stadium on Thursday night, but the PA news agency understands it is considering asking them to provide more support to the stewards than originally planned. after some time. chaotic scenes on the first day of action.
Organizers announced earlier on Friday that 1.3 million tickets had been sold, meaning Birmingham will break the attendance record for a Commonwealth Games to be held in the UK during the Glasgow Games 2014.
However, there were some early issues to report as rows of spectators were still jammed outside the Birmingham Arena 15 minutes after the gym night session started at 5.30pm on Friday.
Police and volunteer staff at the scene confirmed that there was a problem with the ticket scanning machines and that the long queues were moving at least by 5:45 pm.
PA understands that problems have also been caused by flight attendants who are not native English speakers, and by onlookers trying to bring in large bags and even suitcases.
Army personnel may be asked to provide additional assistance after scan and stewarding issues on day one of the Commonwealth Games
Spectators were still trapped outside the Birmingham Arena 15 minutes after the gym night session started
The Games’ official information channel on Twitter, @GetSet2022, had warned spectators of “minor delays” at the gymnastics, but spectators standing outside heard from friends inside that the gymnasts had already started their second rotation.
Earlier in the day, the same Twitter account reported problems with scanners at the rugby sevens venue in Coventry.
Spectators who responded to that tweet described the organization on the site as a “mess” while others responded to the same tweet to report long queues when cycling at London’s Lee Valley VeloPark.
There were also long queues outside Edgbaston, with just 10 minutes to go until the first pitch was thrown in the inaugural women’s T20 match of the Commonwealth Games between Australia and India.
Others, meanwhile, reported long queues when cycling at London’s Lee Valley VeloPark
Game guests and paying spectators also reported difficulties leaving the Alexander Stadium after the opening ceremony on Thursday evening.
The organizers of the Games will face a new challenge on Saturday: train drivers will go on strike.
A Birmingham 2022 spokesperson said: ‘We apologize to spectators who were delayed entering some of our venues on the first day of competition.
“We are working hard to make all our future sessions as smooth as possible. To help us get the thousands of spectators to each venue as quickly as possible, we encourage ticket holders to be at the venues before the start of the session, as most of our venues open their doors an hour or more before the sporting action. starts opening . Our website also contains further advice for spectators.
“We hope our spectators enjoyed the fantastic sporting action today and we look forward to welcoming everyone to all our venues tomorrow.”
There were also long queues outside Edgbaston with only 10 minutes to go until the first ball between Australia and India