2022 sporting calendar: Big events from Winter Olympics to the World Cup

A new year offers the prospect of so much brilliant sport to look forward to in 2022.

The Winter Olympics and the Winter Paralympics take place in Beijing early in 2022 and the Commonwealth Games will be held in Birmingham in the summer.

There are two major football tournaments — with Women's Euro 2022 in England in July and the men's World Cup in Qatar in November and December.

The Rugby League World Cup in England starts in October and there are also men's and women's Cricket World Cups, an athletics World Championship and a women's Rugby World Cup.

But with the Covid-19 pandemic still causing major problems around the world, it remains to be seen whether all the events will take place as planned and whether venues will be packed to capacity.

4-20 February — Winter Olympics, Beijing

Great Britain will send a team of about 50 athletes to China, with hopes of surpassing the five medals won at Sochi 2014 and Pyeongchang 2018. If they do, they will become the most successful British Winter Olympic team of all time.

5 Feb-19 March — Rugby Union — Six Nations

Wales secured the title in 2021 after Scotland beat France in a dramatic encounter in Paris. England finished fifth but go into this year's tournament on the back of a victory over world champions South Africa. France, with world player of the year Antoine Dupont, look favourites but Ireland are also in good form.

4-13 March — Winter Paralympics, Beijing

Visually impaired skier Menna Fitzpatrick became Britain's most successful Winter Paralympian, along with guide Jen Kehoe, in winning a gold, two silvers and a bronze four years ago. She hopes to help Great Britain improve on their total of seven medals from the 2018 Games.

4 March-3 April — Cricket — Women's ODI World Cup, New