NHS hero Daybell one of official Batonbearers at Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony

Kim Daybell, Commonwealth Games silver medallist for Team England four years ago on the Gold Coast, was one of the official Batonbearers at the Opening Ceremony of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham last night. Along with fellow medal winners Tom Daley OBE, Max Whitlock MBE, Galal Yafai and Alex Danson-Bennett MBE he was challenged to ‘take it on’ and run in the name of a chosen cause with Daybell, who qualified as a doctor in 2018, championing all his NHS colleagues who were on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic.

“It is really nice to be here and to be a Batonbearer alongside such esteemed company,” said Daybell. “It’s a big honour although a bit bittersweet as I’d been hoping to compete in these Games but it’s going to be a fantastic event. It’s the first big multisport event since Tokyo and the first one where we have been able to have crowds and bring everyone together again which is the most important thing. I’m glad that I’m able to be here and be part of it and thank you to everyone who has helped to put this together. Best of luck to Team England especially the table tennis guys - I’m sure they are going to go and do our country proud.”