Ellie Simmonds OBE & Dame Kelly Holmes lead two teams of celebrities and sporting legends competing to be crowned Sport Relief All Star Games: Birmingham 2022 champions

30th June 2022

This August, Sport Relief, Birmingham 2022 and the BBC are coming together to bring viewers a one off, All-Star version of the Commonwealth Games.

Two teams from the worlds of sport and entertainment, led by Team Captains, five-time Paralympic champion Ellie Simmonds OBE and double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes, will go head-to-head at this summer’s Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games to raise life changing money in Sport Relief All Star Games: Birmingham 2022 (1x60) on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

The action-packed event will see the celebrities and sporting legends as you’ve never seen them before as they lace up their trainers and step outside of their comfort zones.

Teams will be put through their paces as they take on five Birmingham 2022 sports, competing in front of live crowds at the actual venues during the Games. The action will take place across Lee Valley Velopark for Cycling - Track, Alexander Stadium for Athletics, Arena Birmingham for Rhythmic Gymnastics, Smithfield for Basketball 3x3 and the NEC Arena for Table Tennis.

Only one team will emerge victorious and be crowned Sport Relief All Star Games: Birmingham 2022 Champions.

Ellie Simmonds OBE says: “I’m so excited to lead the Blue Team in the All-Star Games and feel really proud to be supporting Sport Relief again. I’ve been involved in Sport Relief for years, but I know this is going to be the most fun. I can’t wait to get the team into training and make sure we all work really hard to raise as much money as we can… but also win! As much as I respect and admire Kelly – she’s such an incredible role model for young athletes - I’ll leave that at the door. Winning is all that matters. Bring it on!"

Dame Kelly Holmes says: “I love seeing people getting involved in sport and giving things a go – getting out of their comfort zone and just having fun. This competition is right up my street and it’s a real honour to leading the Red Team. I’ve been a supporter of Sport Relief for such a long time now and know the work they support is completely life changing. I hear Ellie is determined for her team to win but I don’t fancy her chances!”

Sport Relief is teaming up with United by 2022 and the Commonwealth Sport Foundation this summer as the Birmingham 2022 Official Charity Partners, to raise money to take on important issues, including tackling inequality, improving mental health and helping young people to survive and thrive.

Samir Patel, Chief Executive of Comic Relief, says: “I hope as many viewers as possible tune in to see our fantastic celeb champions compete. If you enjoy the show and are able to donate you’ll be helping us raise money for vital projects. Partnering with Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games is the start of a brand-new era in Sport Relief’s 20-year history. We’re excited to harness the incredible energy of sport to raise money and change lives for the better all year round."

The celebrity competitors and sporting legends taking part, plus full broadcast details of this unmissable summer showdown will be announced in due course.

Notes to editors

About Sport Relief

Sport Relief is a year-round fundraising campaign run by the charity, Comic Relief.Sport Relief harnesses the power of sport and entertainment to bring people together across the UK, to get active, have fun and raise life-changing funds. Since launching in 2002, Sport Relief has raised £419 million so far, thanks to the generous British public, and supported millions of lives in the UK and around the world.

This year, Sport Relief is teaming up with United By 2022 and the Commonwealth Sport Foundation to celebrate an incredible summer of sport as the official charity partners of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Together we hope to inspire the nation through a shared love of sport, to use this momentous sporting event as an opportunity to raise money to change lives for the better. The partnership aims to raise money to take on important issues, including tackling inequality, improving mental health and helping young people to survive and thrive in Birmingham, across the UK, around the Commonwealth and beyond.

Sport Relief is an initiative of Comic Relief.

For more information about Sport Relief, please visit: www.comicrelief.com/sportrelief

Instagram: @ComicRelief |Twitter: @ComicRelief | Facebook: @ComicRelief | Tik Tok: @ComicRelief

About Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, which will be held from 28 July until 8 August 2022, will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to put the city, the region and its people on the global stage.

The Games is already proving to be a catalyst for transformation across the West Midlands, attracting new investment and funding, creating jobs and apprenticeships for local people and new opportunities for local businesses, as well as accelerating projects that will ensure the region is ready to host a fantastic sports and cultural celebration.

Birmingham 2022 will be the Games for everyone, bringing people together from across Birmingham and the region, to provide a warm welcome to millions of visitors during the summer of 2022.

Find out more at www.birmingham2022.com(opens in new window)

Facebook: @Birmingham2022 | Twitter: @birminghamcg22 | Instagram: @birminghamcg22