Editing Commonwealth Games (section)

== History ==

A sporting competition bringing together the members of the [[British Empire]] was first proposed by John Astley Cooper in 1891, five years before the first modern [[1896 Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]], who wrote letters and articles for several periodicals suggesting a "Pan Brittanic, Pan [[Anglicanism|Anglican]] Contest every four years as a means of increasing goodwill and understanding of the British Empire."<ref name="ANETT">{{cite web|date=25 August 2017|title=J Astley Cooper|url=http://www.anentscottishrunning.com/j-astley-cooper/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601201348/http://www.anentscottishrunning.com/j-astley-cooper/|archive-date=1 June 2019|access-date=1 June 2019|website=Anent Scottish Running}}</ref> John Astley Cooper Committees were formed in Australia, [[New Zealand]] and [[South Africa]] to promote the idea and inspired [[Pierre de Coubertin]] to start the international [[Olympic Games]] movement.<ref>[[Arnd Krüger]] (1986): War John Astley Cooper der Erfinder der modernen Olympischen Spiele? In: LOUIS BURGENER u. a. (Hrsg.): ''Sport und Kultur'', Bd. 6. Bern: Lang, 72 – 81.</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Riordan|first1=Jim|title=The International Politics of Sport in the Twentieth Century|date=11 September 2002|publisher=[[Taylor & Francis]]|isbn=9781135817275|pages=4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AgN6AgAAQBAJ&pg=PA4 }}</ref>

In 1911, an Inter-Empire Championship was held alongside the [[Festival of Empire]], at [[The Crystal Palace]] in [[London]] to celebrate the [[Coronation of George V and Mary|coronation of George V]], and were championed by [[Ivor Windsor-Clive, 2nd Earl of Plymouth|The Earl of Plymouth]] and [[William Grenfell, 1st Baron Desborough|Lord Desborough]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dunn|first1=John F.|title=STAMPS; NEW BOOKLET|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/03/16/arts/stamps-new-booklet.html|access-date=1 June 2019|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=16 March 1986|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601201347/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/03/16/arts/stamps-new-booklet.html|archive-date=1 June 2019|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=21 April 1911|title=FESTIVAL OF EMPIRE GAMES|pages=2|work=[[Evening Journal (Adelaide)]]|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/204490892|access-date=28 July 2022}}</ref> Teams from Australasia (Australia and New Zealand), Canada, South Africa, and the United Kingdom competed in events for athletics, boxing, swimming and wrestling.<ref>{{cite web|title=COMMONWEALTH GAMES MEDALLISTS|url=http://www.gbrathletics.com/commonwealth/|website=GBR Athletics|access-date=1 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418100107/http://www.gbrathletics.com/commonwealth/|archive-date=18 April 2019|url-status=live }}</ref> Canada won the championships and was presented with a silver cup (gifted by [[Earl of Lonsdale|Lord Lonsdale]]) which was {{convert|2|ft|6|in|cm}} high and weighed {{convert|340|oz|kg}}. A correspondent of the ''[[Auckland Star]]'' criticised the Games, calling them a "grievous disappointment" that were "not worthy of the title of 'Empire Sports'".<ref>{{cite web|title=Empire Sports|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19110821.2.55|website=Papers Past|access-date=1 June 2019|date=21 August 1911|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601201347/https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19110821.2.55|archive-date=1 June 2019|url-status=live }}</ref>

While planning for the [[1928 Summer Olympics]] in Amsterdam, [[Amateur Athletic Union of Canada]] executive [[J. Howard Crocker]] spoke with journalist [[Melville Marks Robinson]] of ''[[The Hamilton Spectator]]'', about hosting an international sporting event in Canada. Robinson proposed and lobbied to host what became the [[1930 British Empire Games|British Empire Games]] in Hamilton, Ontario, in 1930.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hamilton's Amazing Empire Athletic Meet|last=Griffin|first=Frederick|date=9 August 1930|newspaper=[[Winnipeg Free Press]]|location=Winnipeg, Manitoba|page=27|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-aug-09-1930-3160191/|access-date=28 May 2023|archive-date=28 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528185244/https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-aug-09-1930-3160191/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="TOP">{{cite web|url=https://www.topendsports.com/events/commonwealth-games/history.htm|title=History of the Commonwealth Games|website=Topend Sports|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601201346/https://www.topendsports.com/events/commonwealth-games/history.htm|archive-date=1 June 2019|access-date=1 June 2019}}</ref> Robinson then served as the manager of the Canadian track and field team for the 1930 British Empire Games.<ref name="TOP" />

Although there are 56 sovereign states that are members of the Commonwealth of Nations, there are 74 active [[Commonwealth Games Associations]]. <ref>{{cite web |title=Nations |url=https://www.commonwealthsport.com/nations |location=London, UK |publisher=Commonwealth Sport |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250513192417/https://www.commonwealthsport.com/nations |archive-date=May 13, 2025 |access-date=May 13, 2025}} </ref>They are divided into six regions (Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and Oceania) and each has a similar function to the [[National Olympic Committee]]s in relation with their countries or territories. In some, like [[India]] and [[South Africa]], the CGA functions are assumed by their NOCs.

Only six national federations have participated in every Commonwealth Games: Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, [[Scotland]] and [[Wales]]. Of these six, Australia, England, Canada and New Zealand have each won at least one gold medal in every Games. Australia has been the highest-achieving team for thirteen editions of the Games, England for seven and Canada for one. These three teams also top the all-time Commonwealth Games medal table in that order.

=== Editions ===

==== British Empire Games ====

The [[1930 British Empire Games]] were the first of what later became known as the Commonwealth Games, and was held in [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]], [[Ontario]], Canada from 16 to 23 August 1930 and opened by [[Freeman Freeman-Thomas, 1st Marquess of Willingdon|Lord Willingdon]].<ref name="H30">{{cite web|title=Hamilton 1930|url=https://thecgf.com/games/hamilton-1930|website=[[Commonwealth Games Federation]]|access-date=1 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601201441/https://thecgf.com/games/hamilton-1930|archive-date=1 June 2019|url-status=live }}</ref> Eleven countries: Australia, [[Bermuda]], [[British Guiana|British Guyana]], Canada, England, [[Northern Ireland]], [[Dominion of Newfoundland|Newfoundland]], New Zealand, [[Scotland]], South Africa and [[Wales]], sent a total of 400 athletes to compete in athletics, boxing, lawn bowls, rowing, swimming and diving and wrestling. The opening and closing ceremonies as well as athletics took place at [[Ivor Wynne Stadium|Civic Stadium]].<ref name="E30">{{cite web|title=1930 Empire Games|url=http://www.anentscottishrunning.com/1930-commonwealth-games/|website=Anent Scottish Running|access-date=1 June 2019|date=22 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601201349/http://www.anentscottishrunning.com/1930-commonwealth-games/|archive-date=1 June 2019|url-status=live }}</ref> The cost of the Games were $97,973.<ref name="E30" /> Women competed in only the aquatic events.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/games/hamilton-1930|title=Hamilton 1930|website=Commonwealth Games Federation|language=en|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407120112/https://thecgf.com/games/hamilton-1930|archive-date=7 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Canadian triple jumper [[Gordon Smallacombe]] won the first ever gold medal in the history of the Games.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=The British Empire Games of 1930|url=http://torontoist.com/2015/07/the-british-empire-games-of-1930/|publisher=Torontoist.com|access-date=30 August 2017|author=Jamie Bradburn|date=21 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831000151/http://torontoist.com/2015/07/the-british-empire-games-of-1930/|archive-date=31 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>[[File:SLNSW 23801 Opening Empire Games Sydney Cricket Ground.jpg|thumb|Opening ceremony of the [[1938 British Empire Games]] at the [[Sydney Cricket Ground]].]]

The [[1934 British Empire Games]] were the second of what is now known as the Commonwealth Games, held in [[London]], England. The host city was London, with the main venue at [[Wembley Park]], although the track cycling events were in [[Manchester]]. The 1934 Games had originally been awarded to [[Johannesburg]], but was given to London instead because of serious concerns about prejudice against Asian and black athletes in South Africa. The affiliation of Irish athletes at the 1934 Games representation [[Ireland at the British Empire Games#§1934 games|remains unclear]] but there was no official [[Irish Free State]] team. Sixteen national teams took part, including new participants [[British Hong Kong|Hong Kong]], [[British Raj|India]], [[Colony of Jamaica|Jamaica]], [[Southern Rhodesia]] and [[Trinidad and Tobago]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/games/london-1934|title=London 1934|website=Commonwealth Games Federation|language=en|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407120035/https://thecgf.com/games/london-1934|archive-date=7 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[1938 British Empire Games]] were the third British Empire Games, which was held in [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]], Australia. It was timed to coincide with Sydney's sesqui-centenary (150 years since the foundation of British settlement in Australia). Held in the [[Southern Hemisphere]] for the first time, the III Games opening ceremony took place at the famed [[Sydney Cricket Ground]] in front of 40,000 spectators. Fifteen nations participated down under at the Sydney Games involving a total of 464 athletes and 43 officials. [[Colony of Fiji|Fiji]] and [[Dominion of Ceylon|Ceylon]] made their debuts. Seven sports were featured in the Sydney Games – athletics, boxing, cycling, lawn bowls, rowing, swimming and diving and wrestling.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/games/sydney-1938|title=Sydney 1938|website=Commonwealth Games Federation|language=en|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407182918/https://thecgf.com/games/sydney-1938|archive-date=7 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[1950 British Empire Games]] were the fourth edition and were held in [[Auckland]], New Zealand, after a twelve-year gap from the third edition of the games. The fourth games were originally awarded to [[Montreal]], Canada and was to be held in 1942, but was cancelled due to the [[Second World War]]. The opening ceremony at [[Eden Park]] was attended by 40,000 spectators, while nearly 250,000 people attended the Auckland Games. Twelve countries sent a total of 590 athletes to Auckland. [[Federation of Malaya|Malaya]] and [[Nigeria]] made their first appearances.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/games/auckland-1950|title=Auckland 1950|website=Commonwealth Games Federation|language=en|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407182635/https://thecgf.com/games/auckland-1950|archive-date=7 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== British Empire and Commonwealth Games ====
[[File:Bannister and Landy.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|Statue in Vancouver commemorating the "Miracle Mile" between [[Roger Bannister]] and [[John Landy]]]]

The fifth edition of the Games, the [[1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games]], were held in [[Vancouver]], [[British Columbia]], Canada. This was the first event since the name change from British Empire Games took effect in 1952, the same year of Queen Elizabeth II's reign. The fifth edition of the Games placed Vancouver on a world stage and featured memorable sporting moments as well as outstanding entertainment, technical innovation and cultural events. The 'Miracle Mile', as it became known, saw both the gold medallist, [[Roger Bannister]] of England and silver medallist [[John Landy]] of Australia, run sub-four-minute races in an event that was televised live across the world for the first time. [[Northern Rhodesia]] and [[Pakistan]] made their debuts and both performed well, winning eight and six medals respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/games/vancouver-1954|title=Vancouver 1954|website=Commonwealth Games Federation|language=en|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407120046/https://thecgf.com/games/vancouver-1954|archive-date=7 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:1958 Commonwealth Games 3d Stamp.jpg|thumb|3 pence British stamp with theme of [[1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games]], [[Cardiff]], Wales]]

The [[1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games]] were held in [[Cardiff]], Wales. The sixth edition of the games marked the largest sporting event ever held in Wales and it was the smallest country ever to host a British Empire and Commonwealth Games. [[Cardiff]] had to wait twelve years longer than originally scheduled to become host of the Games, as the 1946 event was cancelled because of the [[Second World War]]. The Cardiff Games introduced the [[Queen's Baton Relay]], which has been conducted as a prelude to every British Empire and Commonwealth Games ever since. Thirty-five nations sent a total of 1,122 athletes and 228 officials to the Cardiff Games and 23 countries and dependencies won medals, including for the first time, [[Singapore]], [[Ghana]], [[Kenya Colony|Kenya]] and the [[Isle of Man]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/games/cardiff-1958|title=Cardiff 1958|website=Commonwealth Games Federation|language=en|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407120128/https://thecgf.com/games/cardiff-1958|archive-date=7 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In the run up to the Cardiff games, many leading sports stars including [[Stanley Matthews]], [[Jimmy Hill]] and [[Don Revie]] were signatories in a letter to ''The Times'' on 17 July 1958 deploring the presence of white-only South African sports, opposing 'the policy of apartheid' in international sport and defending 'the principle of racial equality which is embodied in the Declaration of the Olympic Games'.<ref>Brown and Hogsbjerg, ''Apartheid is not a game'', 16</ref>

The [[1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games]] were held in [[Perth]], [[Western Australia]]. Thirty-five countries sent a total of 863 athletes and 178 officials to Perth. [[Jersey]] was among the medal winners for the first time, while [[British Honduras]], [[Dominica]], [[Territory of Papua and New Guinea|Papua and New Guinea]] and [[Saint Lucia|St Lucia]] all made their inaugural Games appearances. [[Colony of Aden|Aden]] also competed by special invitation. [[Crown Colony of Sarawak|Sarawak]], [[Crown Colony of North Borneo|North Borneo]] and [[Federation of Malaya|Malaya]] competed for the last time, before taking part in 1966 under the [[Malaysian flag]]. In addition, [[Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland|Rhodesia and Nyasaland]] competed in the Games as an entity for the first and only time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/games/perth-1962|title=Perth 1962|website=Commonwealth Games Federation|language=en|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407183025/https://thecgf.com/games/perth-1962|archive-date=7 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games]] were held in [[Kingston, Jamaica]]. This was the first time that the Games had been held outside the so-called [[White Dominion]]s. Thirty-four nations (including [[Federation of South Arabia|South Arabia]]) competed in the [[Kingston, Jamaica|Kingston]] Games, sending a total of 1,316 athletes and officials.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/games/kingston-1966|title=Kingston 1966|website=Commonwealth Games Federation|language=en|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407120105/https://thecgf.com/games/kingston-1966|archive-date=7 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== British Commonwealth Games ====

The [[1970 British Commonwealth Games]] were held in [[Edinburgh]], Scotland. This was the first time the name British Commonwealth Games was adopted, the first time [[Metric system|metric units]] rather than [[imperial unit]]s were used in events, the first time the games were held in [[Scotland]] and also the first time that HM Queen [[Elizabeth II]] attended in her capacity as [[Head of the Commonwealth]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/games/edinburgh-1970|title=Edinburgh 1970|website=Commonwealth Games Federation|language=en|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407182818/https://thecgf.com/games/edinburgh-1970|archive-date=7 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[1974 British Commonwealth Games]] were held in [[Christchurch]], New Zealand. The event was officially named ''The Friendly Games'', and was also the first edition to feature a theme song. Following the [[1972 Munich attack|massacre of Israeli athletes]] at the [[1972 Summer Olympics|1972 Munich Olympics]], the tenth games at Christchurch were the first [[multi-sport event]] to place the safety of participants and spectators as its uppermost requirement. Security guards surrounded the athlete's village and there was an exceptionally high-profile police presence. Only 22 countries succeeded in winning medals from the total haul of 374 medals on offer, but first time winners included [[Western Samoa]], [[Lesotho]] and Swaziland (since 2018 named [[Eswatini]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/games/christchurch-1974|title=Christchurch 1974|website=Commonwealth Games Federation|language=en|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407182637/https://thecgf.com/games/christchurch-1974|archive-date=7 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The theme song for the 1974 British Commonwealth Games was called "Join Together".

==== Commonwealth Games ====

The [[1978 Commonwealth Games]] were held in [[Edmonton]], [[Alberta]], Canada. This event was the first to bear the current day name of the Commonwealth Games, and also marked a new high as almost 1,500 athletes from 46 countries took part. They were boycotted by [[Nigeria]] in protest against [[New Zealand]]'s sporting contacts with [[apartheid]]-era [[South Africa]], as well as by [[Uganda]] in protest at alleged Canadian hostilities toward the government of [[Idi Amin]].<ref name="MacintoshHawes1994">{{cite book|author1=Donald Macintosh|author2=Michael Hawes|author3=Donna Ruth Greenhorn|author4=David Ross Black|title=Sport and Canadian Diplomacy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G_TwFYjUfssC&pg=PA81|date=5 April 1994|publisher=McGill-Queen's Press – MQUP|isbn=978-0-7735-1161-3|pages=81–|access-date=4 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320234758/https://books.google.com/books?id=G_TwFYjUfssC&pg=PA81|archive-date=20 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/games/edmonton-1978|title=Edmonton 1978|website=Commonwealth Games Federation|language=en|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407182816/https://thecgf.com/games/edmonton-1978|archive-date=7 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony - Brisbane 1982.jpg|thumb|Opening ceremony of the [[1982 Commonwealth Games]] at [[Brisbane]], Australia]]
The [[1982 Commonwealth Games]] were held in [[Brisbane]], [[Queensland]], Australia. Forty-six nations participated in the [[Brisbane]] Games with a new record total of 1,583 athletes and 571 officials. As hosts, Australia headed the medal table leading the way ahead of England, Canada, Scotland and New Zealand respectively. [[Zimbabwe]] made its first appearance at the Games, having earlier competed as [[Southern Rhodesia]] and as part of [[Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland|Rhodesia and Nyasaland]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/games/brisbane-1982|title=Brisbane 1982|website=Commonwealth Games Federation|language=en|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407182713/https://thecgf.com/games/brisbane-1982|archive-date=7 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The theme song for the 1982 Commonwealth Games was called "You're Here To Win".

The [[1986 Commonwealth Games]] were held in [[Edinburgh]], Scotland and were the second Games to be held in Edinburgh. Participation at the 1986 Games was affected by a boycott by 32 African, Asian and Caribbean nations in protest at British Prime Minister [[Margaret Thatcher]]'s refusal to condemn sporting contacts of apartheid era South Africa in 1985, but the Games rebounded and continued to grow thereafter. Twenty-six nations did attend the second Edinburgh Games, and sent a total of 1,662 athletes and 461 officials.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/games/edinburgh-1986|title=Edinburgh 1986|website=Commonwealth Games Federation|language=en|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407183027/https://thecgf.com/games/edinburgh-1986|archive-date=7 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The theme song for the 1986 Commonwealth Games was called "Spirit Of Youth".

The [[1990 Commonwealth Games]] were held in [[Auckland]], New Zealand. They were the fourteenth Commonwealth Games, the third to be hosted by [[New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games|New Zealand]] and Auckland's second. A new record of 55 nations participated in the second Auckland Games, sending 2,826 athletes and officials.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/games/auckland-1990|title=Auckland 1990|website=Commonwealth Games Federation|language=en|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407120012/https://thecgf.com/games/auckland-1990|archive-date=7 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Pakistan returned to the Commonwealth in 1989 after withdrawing in 1972, and competed in the 1990 Games after an absence of twenty years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thecgf.com/countries/intro.asp?loc=PAK|title=Pakistan|website=thecgf.com|access-date=12 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615134534/http://thecgf.com/countries/intro.asp?loc=PAK|archive-date=15 June 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The theme song for the 1990 Commonwealth Games was called "This Is The Moment".

The [[1994 Commonwealth Games]] were held in [[Victoria, British Columbia|Victoria]], [[British Columbia]], Canada. This event was the fourth to take place in Canada. The games marked another point of [[South Africa]]'s return to the sporting atmosphere following the [[apartheid]] era, and over thirty years since the country last competed in the [[1958 Commonwealth Games|Games in 1958]]. [[Namibia]] made its Commonwealth Games debut following its independence from South Africa in 1990. It was also Hong Kong's last appearance at the games before the [[Transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong|transfer of sovereignty]] from Britain to China. Sixty-three nations sent 2,557 athletes and 914 officials.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/games/victoria-1994|title=Victoria 1994|website=Commonwealth Games Federation|language=en|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407182604/https://thecgf.com/games/victoria-1994|archive-date=7 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The theme song for the 1994 Commonwealth Games was called "Let Your Spirit Take Flight".

The [[1998 Commonwealth Games]] were held in [[Kuala Lumpur]], Malaysia. For the first time in its 68-year history, the Commonwealth Games were held in Asia. The event was also the first Games to feature team sports (cricket,rugby 7's,netball and field hockey) along ten pin bowling and squash– an overwhelming success that added large numbers to both participant and TV audience numbers. A new record of 70 countries sent a total of 5,065 athletes and officials to the Kuala Lumpur Games. The top five countries in the medal standing were Australia, England, Canada, Malaysia (who made their best games' performance until that date) and South Africa. [[Nauru]] also achieved an impressive haul of three gold medals. [[Cameroon]], [[Mozambique]], [[Kiribati]] and [[Tuvalu]] debuted.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/games/kuala-lumpur-1998|title=Kuala Lumpur 1998|website=Commonwealth Games Federation|language=en|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407120007/https://thecgf.com/games/kuala-lumpur-1998|archive-date=7 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The theme song for the 1998 Commonwealth Games was called "Forever As One".

==== During the 21st century ====

The [[2002 Commonwealth Games]] were held in [[Manchester]], England. The event was hosted in England for the first time since 1934 and hosted to coincide with the [[Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II]], head of the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]]. In terms of sports and events, the 2002 event was until the 2010 edition the largest Commonwealth Games in history featuring 281 events across 17 sports. The final medal tally was led by Australia, followed by host England and Canada. The 2002 Commonwealth Games had set a new benchmark for hosting the Commonwealth Games and for cities wishing to bid for them with a heavy emphasis on legacy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/games/manchester-2002|title=Manchester 2002|website=Commonwealth Games Federation|language=en|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407120044/https://thecgf.com/games/manchester-2002|archive-date=7 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The theme song for the 2002 Commonwealth Games was called "[[Faith of the Heart|Where My Heart Will Take Me]]".

[[File:MSC, 2006 Commonwealth Games.jpg|thumb|Athletics at the [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]] (MCG) during the [[2006 Commonwealth Games]], [[Melbourne]]]]

The [[2006 Commonwealth Games]] were held in [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria, Australia]]. The only difference between the [[2006 Commonwealth Games|2006 games]] and the [[2002 Commonwealth Games|2002 games]] was the absence of [[Zimbabwe]], which withdrew from the [[Commonwealth of Nations]] after being suspended by the organization in 2002.<ref>{{cite web |last=York |first=Geoffrey |date=November 18, 2024 |title=Commonwealth leaders push for Zimbabwe to rejoin despite tainted elections |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-zimbabwe-commonwealth-readmission-push/ |publisher=The Globe & Mail |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250102114924/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-zimbabwe-commonwealth-readmission-push/ |archive-date=January 2, 2025 |access-date=May 13, 2025}}</ref> For the first time in the history of the Games the [[Queen's Baton Relay|Queen's Baton]] visited every single Commonwealth nation and territory taking part in the Games, a journey of {{convert|180000|km|mi}}. Over 4000 athletes took part in the sporting competitions. Again the Top 3 on the medal table is Australia, followed by England and Canada.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/games/melbourne-2006|title=Melbourne 2006|website=Commonwealth Games Federation|language=en|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407120010/https://thecgf.com/games/melbourne-2006|archive-date=7 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The theme song for the 2006 Commonwealth Games was called "Together We Are One".

The [[2010 Commonwealth Games]] were held in [[Delhi]], India. The Games cost $11 billion and were the most expensive Commonwealth Games ever. It was the first time that the Commonwealth Games was held in India, also the first time that a [[Republics in the Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth republic]] hosted the games and the second time it was held in Asia after Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 1998. A total of 6,081 athletes from 71 [[The Commonwealth|Commonwealth nations and dependencies]] competed in 21 sports and 272 events. The final [[2010 Commonwealth Games medal table|medal tally]] was led by [[Australia at the 2010 Commonwealth Games|Australia]]. The host nation India achieved its [[India at the 2010 Commonwealth Games|best performance ever in any sporting event]], finishing second overall.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/games/delhi-2010|title=Delhi 2010|website=Commonwealth Games Federation|language=en|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407120108/https://thecgf.com/games/delhi-2010|archive-date=7 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Rwanda]] made its Games debut.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thecgf.com/countries/intro.asp?loc=RWA|title=Rwanda|website=thecgf.com|access-date=12 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130063104/http://thecgf.com/countries/intro.asp?loc=RWA|archive-date=30 November 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> The theme song for the 2010 Commonwealth Games was called "Live, Rise, Ascend, Win".

The [[2014 Commonwealth Games]] were held in [[Glasgow]], Scotland. These games were the largest multi-sport event ever held in Scotland with around 4,950 athletes from 71 different nations and territories competing in 18 different sports, outranking the 1970 and 1986 Commonwealth Games in [[Edinburgh]], capital city of Scotland. [[Usain Bolt]] competed in the [[Athletics at the 2014 Commonwealth Games|4×100 metres relay]] of the 2014 Commonwealth Games and set a [[List of Commonwealth Games records in athletics#Men.27s records|Commonwealth Games record]] with his teammates.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/commonwealth-games/28626118|title=Usain Bolt: Glasgow 2014 gold for Jamaica in 4x100m relay|date=2 August 2014|work=BBC Sport|access-date=28 April 2017|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716171902/http://www.bbc.com/sport/commonwealth-games/28626118|archive-date=16 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The Games received acclaim for their organisation, attendance, and the public enthusiasm of the people of Scotland, with the CGF chief executive Mike Hooper hailing them as "the standout games in the history of the movement".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/games/glasgow-2014|title=Glasgow 2014|website=Commonwealth Games Federation|language=en|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407182710/https://thecgf.com/games/glasgow-2014|archive-date=7 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[2018 Commonwealth Games]] were held in [[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]], [[Queensland]], Australia, the fifth time Australia hosted the Games. There were an equal number of events for men and women, the first time in history that a major multi-sport event had equality in terms of events.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.insidethegames.biz/index.php/articles/1042362/gold-coast-2018-to-offer-same-amount-of-medals-for-men-and-women-after-seven-events-added|title=Gold Coast 2018 to offer same amount of medals for men and women after seven events added|access-date=28 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208034918/http://www.insidethegames.biz/index.php/articles/1042362/gold-coast-2018-to-offer-same-amount-of-medals-for-men-and-women-after-seven-events-added|archive-date=8 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/games/gold-coast-2018|title=Gold Coast 2018|website=Commonwealth Games Federation|language=en|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413185707/https://thecgf.com/games/gold-coast-2018|archive-date=13 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[2022 Commonwealth Games]] were held in [[Birmingham]], England. It was the third Commonwealth Games to be hosted in England, following [[1934 British Empire Games|London 1934]] and [[2002 Commonwealth Games|Manchester 2002]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/games/birmingham-2022|title=Birmingham 2022|website=Commonwealth Games Federation|language=en|access-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407120125/https://thecgf.com/games/birmingham-2022|archive-date=7 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The 2022 Commonwealth Games coincided with the [[Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II]] and the tenth anniversary of the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] and the [[2012 Summer Paralympics]], both staged in [[London]]. The 2022 Commonwealth Games was the last edition to be held under Queen Elizabeth II, before her [[Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II|death]] on 8 September 2022.

On 16 February 2022, it was announced that the [[2026 Commonwealth Games]] would be held for a record sixth time in [[Australia]], but for the first time they would be decentralised, as the state of [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] signed as host 'city'. The event were to have four regional clusters mainly focused in [[Bendigo]] region, and another three regional centres. However, in July 2023, the Victorian Premier [[Daniel Andrews]] announced that Victoria would no longer host the 2026 Games.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Australia's Victoria state pulls out of hosting 2026 Commonwealth Games|url=https://news.sky.com/story/victoria-state-pulls-out-of-hosting-2026-commonwealth-games-12922606|access-date=19 July 2023|website=Sky News|language=en}}</ref> The Scottish government later agreed to hold the 2026 games in Glasgow, following Victoria's cancellation, however the games will be "scaled down" with only 10 sports being staged in four venues, and a commitment that public funds would not be required.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2024-09-17 |title=Scotland agrees to host Commonwealth Games in 2026 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce8ddeeklxko |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> The 2026 Commonwealth Games will be the first held under the reign of [[King Charles III]].
The three nations to have hosted the Commonwealth Games the most times are Australia (5), Canada (4) and New Zealand (3). With the 2022 games, England increased its number to three. Seven Games have taken place in the countries within the United Kingdom ([[Scotland]] (3) and [[Wales]] (1)), two in Asia ([[Malaysia]] (1) and [[India]] (1)) and one in the Caribbean ([[Jamaica]] (1)).<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://thecgf.com/games/story.asp|title=The Story of The Commonwealth Games|website=Commonwealth Games Federation|access-date=28 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416125811/http://thecgf.com/games/story.asp|archive-date=16 April 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The event has been awarded to, but never been held in, Africa, with [[Durban]] being stripped of the 2022 Games following financial issues.

=== Paraplegic Games ===
{{main|Commonwealth Paraplegic Games}}

[[File:1962 Commonwealth Paraplegic Games Competitors Team Photograph.jpg|thumb|Athletes of the [[1962 Commonwealth Paraplegic Games]] at [[Perth]]]]

The Commonwealth Paraplegic Games were an international, [[multi-sport event]] involving athletes with a disability from the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth countries]]. The event was sometimes referred to as the Paraplegic Empire Games and British Commonwealth Paraplegic Games. Athletes were generally those with [[spinal injuries]] or [[Poliomyelitis|polio]]. The event was first held in 1962 and disestablished in 1974.<ref>{{cite book|last1=DePauw|first1=Karen P|last2=Gavron|first2=Susan J|title=Disability sport|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BPsqAoFtG-sC&pg=PA102|access-date=25 February 2012|year=2005|publisher=Human Kinetics|isbn=978-0-7360-4638-1|pages=102–|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528065508/http://books.google.com/books?id=BPsqAoFtG-sC&pg=PA102|archive-date=28 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> The Games were held in the country hosting the Commonwealth Games for able-bodied athletes. The countries that had hosted the Commonwealth Paraplegic Games were Australia, Jamaica, Scotland and New Zealand in [[1962 Commonwealth Paraplegic Games|1962]], [[1966 Commonwealth Paraplegic Games|1966]], [[1970 Commonwealth Paraplegic Games|1970]] and [[1974 Commonwealth Paraplegic Games|1974]]. Six countries – Australia, England, New Zealand, [[Northern Ireland]], [[Scotland]] and [[Wales]] — had been represented at all Commonwealth Paraplegic Games. Australia and England had been{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}} the top-ranking nation two times each: [[1962 Commonwealth Paraplegic Games|1962]], [[1974 Commonwealth Paraplegic Games|1974]] and [[1966 Commonwealth Paraplegic Games|1966]], [[1970 Commonwealth Paraplegic Games|1970]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2019}}

==== Inclusion of disabled athletes in Commonwealth Games ====

Athletes with a disability were then first included the [[1994 Commonwealth Games]] in [[Victoria, British Columbia]] when this events was added to athletics and lawn bowls,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Van Ooyen and Justin Anjema|first1=Mark|last2=Anjema|first2=Justin|title=A Review and Interpretation of the Events of the 1994 Commonwealth Games|publisher=Redeemer University College|date=25 March 2004|url=http://sporthamilton.com/content/histroy/1994commonwealthgames.pdf|access-date=25 February 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130731114220/http://sporthamilton.com/content/histroy/1994commonwealthgames.pdf|archive-date=31 July 2013 }}</ref> As at [[2002 Commonwealth Games]] in Manchester, England, they were included as compulsory events, making them the first fully [[Inclusion (disability rights)|inclusive]] international multi-sport games. This meant that results were included in the medal count and the athletes are full members of each country delegation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Para-sports for elite athletes with a disability|url=http://www.thecgf.com/sports/ead.asp|work=Commonwealth Games Federation website|access-date=25 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130060533/http://thecgf.com/sports/ead.asp|archive-date=30 November 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>

During the 2007 General Assembly of the [[Commonwealth Games Federation]] (CGF) at [[Colombo]], [[Sri Lanka]], the [[International Paralympic Committee]] (IPC) and CGF signed a co-operative agreement to ensure a formal institutional relationship between the two bodies and secure the future participation of elite athletes with a disability (EAD) in future Commonwealth Games.

Then, IPC President [[Philip Craven]] said during the General Assembly:
{{Quote box
|quote = "We look forward to working with CGF to develop the possibilities of athletes with a disability at the Commonwealth Games and within the Commonwealth. This partnership will help to galvanize Paralympic sports development in Commonwealth countries/territories and seek to create and promote greater opportunities in sport for athletes with a disability".
|source = — IPC President [[Sir Philip Craven]]
}}

The co-operation agreement outlined the strong partnership between the IPC and the CGF. It recognised the IPC as the respective sport body and have the function to oversee the co-ordination and delivery of the Commonwealth Games EAD sports programme and committed both organisations to work together in supporting the growth of the Paralympic and Commonwealth Games Movements.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.paralympic.org/press-release/ipc-and-cgf-sign-co-operative-agreement|title=IPC and CGF Sign Co-operative Agreement|publisher=International Paralympic Committee|language=en|access-date=7 February 2020}}</ref>

=== Winter Games ===
{{Main|Commonwealth Winter Games}}

[[File:StMoritz.jpg|thumb|[[St. Moritz]], the venue for all three Winter Games from 1958 to 1966]]

The [[Commonwealth Winter Games]] was a [[multi-sport event]] comprising [[winter sports]], last held in 1966. Three editions of the Games have been staged. The [[Commonwealth Winter Games]] were designed as a counterbalance to the Commonwealth Games, which focuses on summer sports, to accompany the [[Winter Olympic Games|Winter Olympics]] and [[Summer Olympic Games]]. The winter Games were founded by [[T.D. Richardson]].<ref name="Semanticus-Richardson">Semanticus.info, [http://semanticus.info/en/meaning/T-D-Richardson-27279302/ T.D. Richardson] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726233649/http://semanticus.info/en/meaning/T-D-Richardson-27279302/|date=26 July 2014}} (accessed 7 July 2012)</ref> The 1958 Commonwealth Winter Games were held in [[St. Moritz]], Switzerland and was the inaugural games for the winter edition.<ref>CBC News, [https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/canadian-ski-museum-in-trouble-1.1073550 Canadian Ski Museum in trouble], 15 March 2011, Ashley Burke (accessed 7 July 2012)</ref><ref>NZ Collector Services [http://nzcollectorservices.co.nz/product_info.php?products_id=2613 St. Moritz 1958 Commonwealth Winter Games silver medal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416045615/http://nzcollectorservices.co.nz/product_info.php?products_id=2613|date=16 April 2017 }} (accessed 7 July 2012)</ref> The 1962 Games were also held in St. Moritz, complementing the [[1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games]] in [[Perth]], Australia, and the 1966 event was held in St. Moritz as well, following which the idea was discontinued.<ref>Antiques Reporter, [http://www.antiquesreporter.com.au/index.cfm/lot/303014-1962-british-commonwealth-winter-games-in-stmoritz-participation/ St. Mortiz 1966 Commonwealth Winter Games bronze medal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330070457/https://www.antiquesreporter.com.au/index.cfm/lot/303014-1962-british-commonwealth-winter-games-in-stmoritz-participation/|date=30 March 2019 }} (accessed 7 July 2012)</ref>

=== Youth Games ===
{{main|Commonwealth Youth Games}}

The [[Commonwealth Youth Games]] is an international [[multi-sport event]] organised by the [[Commonwealth Games Federation]]. The Commonwealth Youth Games is held every four years with the current Commonwealth Games format. The [[Commonwealth Games Federation]] discussed the idea of a Millennium [[Commonwealth Youth Games]] in 1997. In 1998, the concept was agreed on for the purpose of providing a Commonwealth multi-sport event for young people born in 1986 or later. The first version was held in [[Edinburgh]], Scotland from 10 to 14 August 2000. The age limitation of the athletes is 14 to 18.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bendigo2004.thecgf.com/About_the_Games/|title= About the Games|website=Bendigo 2004 Commonwealth Youth Games|access-date=4 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017114244/http://bendigo2004.thecgf.com/About_the_Games/|archive-date=17 October 2017|url-status=dead }}</ref>