History of the Commonwealth Games

Commonwealth Games is a quadrennial international multisport event

contested by athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations.
The Commonwealth Games are managed by the Commonwealth Games
Federation (CGF) based in London, England.

The concept of a united Commonwealth sporting event had been talked about amongst
Commonwealth nations since the rebirth of the Olympic Games. A sporting competition
bringing together the members of the British Empire was first proposed by Reverend
Astley Cooper in 1891, when he wrote an article in The Times newspaper suggesting a
"Pan-Britannic-Pan-Anglican Contest and Festival every four years as a means of
increasing the goodwill and good understanding of the British Empire".

In 1911, the 'Festival of Empire' was held in London to celebrate the coronation of King
George V. As part of the festival, an Inter-Empire Championships was held in which
teams from Australia, Canada, South Africa and the United Kingdom competed in events
such as boxing, wrestling, swimming and athletics. A trophy in the form of a silver cup,
2ft 6in high and weighing 340oz, the gift of Lord Lonsdale, was presented to the winning
country, which was Canada. No further development took place until 1928, when the
Olympic Games were in progress in Amsterdam. The splendid feelings of friendliness
between the Empire athletes at that Olympiad re-vitalized the idea for the revival of
Empire meetings.

There are currently 54 members of the Commonwealth of Nations, and 71 teams

participate in the Games. Only six teams have attended every Commonwealth Games:
Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, Scotland and Wales. Australia has been the
highest scoring team for ten games, England for seven and Canada for one.

The Commonwealth Games has been founded on history of unique characteristic of its
members share a common language. All athletes and officials can converse with each
other in English, creating an atmosphere that has led to the Commonwealth Games being
long known as the "Friendly Games".
The first Commonwealth Games, known as the British Empire Games at the time, were
held in Canada in 1930 in Hamilton, Ontario. 'Bobby' Robinson, who was a major player
within athletics in Canada at the time, was the driving force behind the event. The first
Games included 400 athletes from 11 countries. To help cover the traveling costs for the
visiting nations, the City of Hamilton provided $30,000. At the 1930 games, women
competed in the Swimming events only. From 1934, women also competed in some
Athletics events.

Support for the concept was forthcoming from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland,
with the result that strong teams were sent to Canada. Teams also came from Australia,
New Zealand, Bermuda, British Guiana, Newfoundland and South Africa. The events at
this meeting comprised track and field athletics, swimming, rowing, boxing and
wrestling, and lawn bowls. While no points were allotted, it was fitting that Great Britain
filled the premier position.

The success of the first Games at Hamilton in 1930 provided enough incentive to make
them regular. Since 1930, they have taken place every four years except for 1942 and
1946, when they were disrupted due to World War II. The Melbourne Games are the 16th
to be held. From 1930 to 1950 the Games were known as the British Empire Games, and
then the name was changed to the British Empire and Commonwealth Games until 1962.
From 1966 to 1974 they had the title of British Commonwealth Games and from 1978
games in Edmonton, onwards they have been known as simply the Commonwealth
Games.

Opening Ceremony Traditions

 From 1930 through 1950, the parade of nations was led by a single flag bearer
carrying the Union Flag, symbolizing Britain's leading role in the British Empire.
 Since 1958, there has been a relay of athletes carrying a baton from Buckingham
Palace to the Opening Ceremony. This baton has within it the Queen's Message of
Greeting to the athletes. The baton's final bearer is usually a famous sporting
personage of the host nation.
  All other nations march in English alphabetical order, except that the first nation
marching in the Parade of Athletes is the host nation of the previous games, and
the host nation of the current games marches last. In 2006 countries marched in
alphabetical order in geographical regions.
 Three national flags fly from the stadium on the poles that are used for medal
ceremonies: Previous host nation, Current host nation, Next host nation.
 The military is more active in the Opening Ceremony than in the Olympic Games.
This is to honour the British Military traditions of the Old Empire.

Boycotts

The Commonwealth Games, like the Olympic Games, has also suffered from political
boycotts. Nigeria boycotted the 1978 Games in protest of New Zealand's sporting
contacts with apartheid-era South Africa, and 32 of 59 nations from Africa, Asia, and the
Caribbean boycotted the 1986 Commonwealth Games due to the Thatcher government's
attitude towards South African sporting contacts. Boycotts were also threatened in 1974,
1982, and 1990 because of South Africa.

Host Countries

British Empire Games

 1930 games – Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

 1934 games – London, England, United Kingdom
 1938 games – Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
 1950 games – Auckland, New Zealand

British Empire and Commonwealth Games

 1954 games – Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

 1958 games – Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
 1962 games – Perth, Western Australia, Australia
 1966 games – Kingston, Jamaica
British Commonwealth Games

 1970 games – Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

 1974 games – Christchurch, New Zealand

Commonwealth Games

 1978 games – Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

 1982 games – Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
 1986 games – Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
 1990 games – Auckland, New Zealand
 1994 games – Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
 1998 games – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
 2002 games – Manchester, England, United Kingdom
 2006 games – Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
 2010 games – Delhi, India
 2014 games – Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
 2018 games – Gold coast, Australia
 2022 games – Birmingham, England
 2026 games - tbd