HALESOWEN’S Paralympic cycling champion Helen Scott has backed Birmingham’s bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

On Sunday (August 20), the 27-year-old para track cycling gold medallist was part of the Queen’s Baton Relay in the city centre, which is counting down towards the Gold Coast 2018 games in Australia.

The baton’s visit to Birmingham also gave the city a big boost towards its own ambitions of hosting the event in 2022, allowing the area to show off what it has to offer.

Many of Birmingham’s iconic landmarks and showcase sports events featured in the Queen’s Baton Relay’s visit while there were also opportunities for the public to see the baton and Olympic and Paralympic medallists, Commonwealth Games Champions and World Champions who escorted it – including the Halesowen pilot.

Helen, who is also a Commonwealth Games champion, escorted the baton around Brindley Place and the canalside, stopping for photographs outside the planned gymnastics venue – Barclaycard Arena.

The visit comes just days after Birmingham submits its secondary phase ‘Bid City’ application.

Ian Ward, deputy leader of Birmingham City Council and chairman of the Commonwealth Games bid team, said: “This weekend marks a major milestone in our bid for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, having now submitted our secondary phase Bid City application.

“It is fitting that we can celebrate with this Gold Coast 2018 Queen’s Baton Relay’s visit so let’s show how much we want the Commonwealth Games in our hometown by coming out and supporting it on Sunday.

“In five years’ time we could be counting down towards our own Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.”