Commonwealth games have a very large history. The initial concept of the “Commonwealth Games” can be credited to the Rev. Astly Cooper of England, who in July 1891 in a magazine “Greater Britain” and later, on 31st October 1891 in “The Times” suggested a “Pan-Britannic-Pan Anglican Contest and Festival every four years as a means of increasing the goodwill and good understanding of the Empire”.
The first Commonwealth Games, which is also known as the British Empire Games at the time, were held in Canada in 1930 in Hamilton, Ontario. The first Games included 400 athletes from 11 countries. Total expanses in first commonwealth games was $30,000. It was provided by the city of Hamilton.
About Flag:
The first ceremonial flag was presented by the British Empire Games Association of Canada after the first Games in Hamilton in 1930. The new changed ceremonial flag was presented by the British Empire and Commonwealth Games Association of Canada for use at the Games in Vancouver in 1954. This incorporated the symbol of the Games on a white background. With the change of name in 1966 to British Commonwealth Games the former flags were no longer appropriate. Subsequently the British Commonwealth Games Association of Canada presented a new flag. The ceremonial flags of the period 1954-1966 and from 1970 on, were presented to the Chairman of the British Commonwealth Games Federation by Colonel Jack Davies, President of the Commonwealth Games Association of Canada.
List of Commonwealth games:
Year: Place:
1930 Hamilton
1934 London
1938 Sydney
1950 Auckland
1954 Vancouver
1958 Cardiff
1962 Perth
1966 Kingston
1970 Edinburgh
1974 Christchurch
1978 Edmonton
1982 Brisbane
1986 Edinburgh
1990 Auckland
1994 Victoria
1998 Kuala Lumpur
2002 Manchester
2006 Melbourne
2010 India (going-on)
*Since 1930 the Games have been held every four years except for 1942 and 1946 due to World War II.
The Friendly Games:
A unique characteristic of the Commonwealth Games is being the only Games which 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".
