The Commonwealth Games

When the Games started in 1930, the original constitution said that although they would be designed on the Olympic model, 'they should be merrier and less stern'. Helped by a common language and because the desire to win seems to co-exist with a real spirit of unity and friendship, the Commonwealth Games are known as the 'Friendly Games'.

View a history of the Commonwealth Games by clicking here

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What is the Commonwealth?
The Commonwealth Games
Countries of the Commonwealth
Diversity in the Commonwealth
The Origins and History of the Commonwealth
The Modern Commonwealth
The Commonwealth in Action
The Commonwealth And Young People
Being a Commonwealth Citizen
How does the Commowealth Work?

Did You Know?

Did you know that at the Commonwealth Games in Vancouver (Canada) in 1954 Roger Bannister of England and Australian John Landy ran the first sub-four minute miles in a race. The event was the first to be televised live across the globe.
Did you know that the 1958 Cardiff (Wales) Games were South Africa's last until their post-apartheid return in 1994. Their team had been selected on the basis of race and colour rather than ability, which raised many objections from other nations.
Did you know that the 1998 Games held in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) were the first to be held in an Asian country. In 2010 the Games will return to Asia to be held in New Delhi (India).