THE COMMONWEALTH Games kicked off last night and the streets of Birmingham have been lined with crowds of people from all over the world. 

Several athletes from Worcestershire are set to take part in the games, so we've put together a list of people from our patch you need to look out for.   

Matt Richards 

Worcester News: Droitwich-born Matthew Richards will be gunning for gold at the Commonwealth Games this weekend. Picture: PA WIREDroitwich-born Matthew Richards will be gunning for gold at the Commonwealth Games this weekend. Picture: PA WIRE

Richards’ Commonwealth journey begins on Saturday (July 30) with the men's 200m freestyle heats – the session starting at 10:30am.

The finals, should he make them, begin at 7pm.

Then on Sunday (July 31), he will take part in the 100m freestyle.

Once again the heats begin at 10:30am, with the semi-final at 7pm and the final on Monday, August 1, at 7pm.

Richards will also be hoping to take part in the relay races, with the team yet to be decided.

READ MORE: Droitwich's Matt Richards gunning for gold at Commonwealth Games 2022

Evie Richards 

Worcester News: Malvern's Evie Richards came 7th in the Women's Mountain Bike race at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Pic: Gareth RichardsMalvern's Evie Richards came 7th in the Women's Mountain Bike race at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Pic: Gareth Richards

The former Chase School pupil has struggled with injury this year but looks set to be fit to represent her country and Malvern in the mountain bike event at the Games, which will be held on Wednesday, August 3 at Cannock Chase Forest.

Rebecca Redfern 

Worcester News: Rebecca Redfern and her son Patrick as she gets ready to leave Droitwich for Tokyo and the Paralympics. Picture Steve RedfernRebecca Redfern and her son Patrick as she gets ready to leave Droitwich for Tokyo and the Paralympics. Picture Steve Redfern

Redfern, 22, was picked in the 48-strong team of Swimming and Para Swimming athletes to compete at the Games that start in July.

Redfern won a silver medal in last summer's Paralympic Games in Tokyo but will be performing in front of a home crowd this time as Birmingham takes centre stage.

The swimmers will look to ‘Bring it Home’ at The Sandwell Aquatics Centre from 29 July to 3 August.

Joel Clarke-Khan

Khan has said that taking part in the Commonwealth Games was a big goal for him.

The games will begin for Mr Khan on Tuesday, August from  2 6pm-10pm for the high jump qualifiers and Wednesday, August 3 between 6pm-10pm will see the final and presentation ceremony.

Lydia Thompson 

Worcester News: Warriors wing Lydia Thompson will earn her 50th Red Roses cap as England take on USA at Sixways. Pic: Robbie Stephenson/JMPWarriors wing Lydia Thompson will earn her 50th Red Roses cap as England take on USA at Sixways. Pic: Robbie Stephenson/JMP

 

Lydia Thompson, who is from Worcester, will be competing in the Commonwealth Games this year at Rugby Severns which will take place on Sunday, July 31 at 6.30pm.

Jenny Nesbitt

Worcester News: Wales: Jenny Nesbitt will represent Wales in the 5000 metres at the Commonwealth games. Pic: Mark ShearmanWales: Jenny Nesbitt will represent Wales in the 5000 metres at the Commonwealth games. Pic: Mark Shearman

Jenny will compete in the Commonwealth Games 5,000m final on Sunday 7th August 2022.

Although Jenny grew up in Worcester and started out first running for the Worcester Athletics club, she will be representing Wales in the Commonwealth Games.