It was a feeling of immense pride that the city where I was born and brought up was going to play a part in staging one of the biggest major sporting events.

There were similar emotions when the Olympic Rings stood proudly in the roundabout next to the stadium as it hosted football matches during London 2012.

This time, the 32,500-seat venue will hold the rugby sevens tournaments, with its exhibition hall staging the judo and wrestling competitions during Birmingham 2022.

The Queen's Baton Relay also passed through the historic city recently as it makes its way through the region, generating excitement wherever it goes.

The arrival of the Games will be another major moment for Coventry - a city that is renowned for its role in the British motor industry and last year held the title of the UK City of Culture.

Coventry is one of several cities and towns from across the West Midlands that is set to have a hand in the hosting of Commonwealth Games competitions.

Birmingham may have the title as host city, but this will be a regional effort to hold the largest multi-sport event to take place in England since London 2012.

Cycling competitions will be spread across the West Midlands, with the time trial in Wolverhampton, road race in Warwick and mountain bike in Cannock, while London’s Lee Valley VeloPark will host the track events.

The Warwickshire town of Royal Leamington Spa will also get a taste of the action, with lawn bowls heading to Victoria Park - which is considered the home of bowls in England.

Walking through Brindley Place in central Birmingham, I met Jordan McIntosh and Leon Miles following their 30 kilometres bike ride from Wolverhampton to the city.

They were quick to point out that they are not from Birmingham but can see the regional benefits of staging the Games, scheduled to run from Thursday (July 28) to August 8.

"It will be good for the West Midlands and the surrounding areas," said Jordan, a student from Wolverhampton.

"When most things come to the UK, it's usually London that gets them, so it will be good to get something this way.

"It makes people realise that Birmingham is a good city and people living in other cities can come down here and enjoy themselves.

"In latter years, there has been a lot of investment here so it has got a lot going for it and it will be good to get a big sporting event like this.

"If this goes well - and I don't see why it shouldn't - then there is no reason why we can't get other big sporting events.

"It will be a springboard for us."

Leon, an HGV driver from Wolverhampton, added: "It puts us on the map.

"This is something positive to bring to the city and surrounding areas like Wolverhampton.

"I think the entire West Midlands will be impacted in a positive way."

Alex Morrell is from the Worcestershire town of Droitwich Spa - situated 36km from central Birmingham - but has become a big fan of the city and hopes it will attract more investment as a legacy of the Games.

"My thoughts are that they should take some of the skyscrapers and buildings that don't get the green light in London and bring them here," said Alex, who works at the Ikon Gallery in Birmingham.

"Everybody focuses on London and that’s the problem with Britain. That’s why I like it here - because it is getting taller."

Birmingham entered the race to host the 1992 Olympics only to be knocked out in the second round with eight votes as the Games were awarded to Barcelona in Spain.

After that blow, Birmingham has successfully staged major events including the 1998 Eurovision Song Contest and the 2003 World Athletics Indoor Championships.

But as Alex rightly pointed out, the city is growing in stature and now looks the perfect stage for the Commonwealth Games.

After Birmingham secured the hosting rights in December 2017, the British Government pledged to inject £594 million ($732 million/€662 million) into the delivery of the Games.

A further investment of £184 million ($234 million/€205 million) came from Birmingham City Council and a number of key local partners.

The cash boost has resulted in the £72 million ($99million/€82million) transformation of the Alexander Stadium and the £73 million ($100million/€83million) creation of the Sandwell Aquatics Centre.

Having visited the Alexander Stadium at various stages during its redevelopment over the past two years, I was blown away when I saw the venue in late April before the keys were handed over to Birmingham 2022.

Now able to accommodate around 30,000 spectators thanks to the addition of temporary seating, the Alexander Stadium is the major athletics stadium that Birmingham and the West Midlands need.

Away from sport, the whole area of Perry Berry where the venue is located is undergoing a major regeneration project thanks to a public-sector investment of more than £700 million ($950 million/€840 million).

Commonwealth Games Federation President Dame Louise Martin marvelled at the work that had taken place there and credited Birmingham City Council for "supercharging" its Perry Barr 2040 masterplan.

Since arriving in Birmingham on Monday (July 18), I have seen preparations for the Games ramp up with workers busy putting everything in place.

Banners and posters featuring the Birmingham 2022 logo and mascot Perry the Bull adorn Birmingham City Council House and other buildings around Victoria Square where giant Commonwealth Games murals have been painted onto the block paving either side of the fountain.

Excitement has been gradually building in Brindley Place with families and friends playing on the two table tennis tables despite the strong Sunday morning breeze.

There is also a real buzz for Birmingham 2022 in Centenary Square which features the countdown clock, a large merchandise store and flags of all the 72 Commonwealth nations and territories on large pin badges attached to railings.

Birmingham-born John Heffernan, a construction worker who has been based at the University of Birmingham where a large portion of the athletes will be staying, has witnessed the transformation of the city and believes the hosting of the Games can elevate it and the region to another level.

"It is an enormous boost for the city and hopefully we will see the benefits in months and years to come," said John.

"We have got athletes coming from all over the world with their own entourages. It's a good opportunity to show what is great about Birmingham.

"I am Birmingham born and bred so it is nice to see the city developing to what it is today and can continue developing as well and the Games will have a knock-on effect across the West Midlands.

"There will be disruption but you have got to look at the boost it has given the city and the whole of the West Midlands."