After COVID-19 brought the world to its knees, the event in the English city is looking set to go ahead at full capacity and with supporters in the stands - a far cry from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. 

"I think the world needs it, we need to get back into these things," Attard, an Olympic athlete, told insidethegames. 

"We're so tired of living in question marks, because that's how we're living. The whole world is, some countries more than others. 

"Sport is always a way to reach people and give hope. It's like bringing something back, something positive."

Malta's team for Birmingham currently contains 23 athletes but this could increase if more qualify.

The Mediterranean country is aiming to compete in athletics, swimming, badminton, lawn bowls and squash - while there is also the chance of appearing in gymnastics, judo, weightlifting, wrestling and women's 3x3 basketball.

Another goal is that one Para-athlete will compete in track and field.

"Training is full blast, there are many who are aiming to qualify for Birmingham," said Attard. 

"It motivates them that after a year-and-a-half when no-one knew what was really happening, that next year we have the Commonwealth Games and other Games we can take part in. 

"Thank god they are motivated to represent Malta and compete. It's positive."

Maltese hopes for the Games include lawn bowls after a family affair led the country to bronze in the women's fours at Gold Coast 2018.

Rosemarie Rixon and her daughters Connie-Leigh and Rebecca were all part of the team, alongside Sharon Callus.

The quartet were all born in Australia and Connie-Leigh and Rebecca are said to have sworn their mother to secrecy when they excelled in the sport growing up - at the risk of appearing uncool.

Runner Jordan Gusman, who races between 1500 metres and 10,000m, is another to watch, alongside long jumper Jeremy Zammit who perfectly sums up the difficulty athletes will face next year with the packed sporting calendar.

"He's second for under-18s in the world, but I don't know if he will make it [to Birmingham]," said Attard.

"In the same week it's the World Junior Championships. It's very hard to win in Birmingham as it's an open event, there will be athletes there who can jump over eight metres. 

"We are still discussing with his coach and waiting for next year to start to work out his programme. 

"It's not that he's out or he's in, it's a question mark. Because there's the other competition which is very prestigious as well." 

Malta claimed one other bronze medal in Gold Coast - thanks to Brian Galea in the men's trap shooting.

The country has won one silver and five bronzes in its Commonwealth Games history, with the Gold Coast double the first Maltese medals since a second and a third place finish in Melbourne in 2006.

Both of these medals also came in shooting - which means the decision to drop the sport from the Birmingham 2022 programme is felt keenly. 

"For us it makes a big difference because when you have very few athletes who can make it, and that sport is chucked out, it hits hard," said Attard.

"At the last edition we got a bronze and two fourth places. It's one of our best sports and has potential for so many youngsters coming up. 

"It would have been a big experience for them because there are other big Games in the years to come."

Malta has already welcomed the Queen's Baton Relay and was the third country to do so after its launch at Buckingham Palace in October.

President George Vella attended alongside athletes including Zammit, and three "game changers" were appointed to promote Birmingham 2022 and the Relay.

It was a positive moment for sport in Malta, the host of the 2023 Games of the Small States of Europe, after the shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We had some restrictions and for a few months everything was closed," Attard said.

"Some of the national team then started training but the gap increased between the national team and not being a part of the national team. 

"Our national athletes had to leave to compete and come back to train. We are an island, and flights are very expensive, and all the hassle as well to travel...

"Now we're back to normal, sports are open and people are training and are more motivated."

Attard competed in the 100m at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, appearing in the same heat as Jamaica's eventual silver medallist Kerron Stewart.

She is now an Executive Board member with the Maltese Olympic Committee, and the chair of its Athletes' Commission and Olympians' Commission.

Birmingham 2022 will be her first Commonwealth Games as Chef de Mission after she previously performed the role at two editions of the European Youth Olympic Festival.

"I know the Commonwealths are not just about winning medals, this is very important but it's not just about that," said Attard, who also works as a teacher. 

"The Commonwealth has other aspects which is beautiful, like the youth changemakers projects and so on. 

"There are so many nice areas and humanitarian aspects of the Commonwealth which the Games represent, like including the Para-athletes and the able-bodied together. 

"It's different from the other Games that exist. 

"The athletes do look forward to it as it's very big and a high level. It's an honour competing in them, and it's an honour to get to the next round or win a medal. 

"I think COVID will still be around, but I am sure they will take all precautions and all our athletes will follow them. 

"We need something now. We need to start living again."