Editing Commonwealth Games (section)

==== 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>