*Commonwealth Games*
* *
Ø A sporting contest that brought together members of the British Empire
was first proposed by Reverend Ashley Cooper when he suggested a
Pan-Britannic, Pan-Anglican Contest and Festival every four years to foster
goodwill and understanding within the Empire.
Ø In 1928, a key Canadian athlete, Bobby Robinson, was given the
responsibility of organising the first British Empire Games, which
culminated in the first-ever Commonwealth Games being held in Hamilton,
Ontario, Canada, in 1930.
Ø These first Games saw the participation of 400 athletes from 11
countries.
Games Year Host Dates
Sports Events Nations Competitors
*British Empire Games*
I 1930 Hamilton, Canada 16 – 23 August 6 59
11 400
II 1934 London, England 4 – 11 August 6 68
16 500
III 1938 Sydney, Australia 5 – 12 February 7 71
15 464
IV 1950 Auckland, New Zealand 4 – 11 Feb. 9 88
12
590
*British Empire and Commonwealth Games*
V 1954 Vancouver, Canada 30 July – 7 August 9 91
24 662
VI 1958 Cardiff, Wales 18 – 26 July 9
94
36 1122
VII 1962 Perth, Australia 22 Nov. – 1 Dec. 9 104
35 863
VIII 1966 Kingston, Jamaica 4 – 13 August 9 110
34 1050
*British Commonwealth Games*
IX 1970 Edinburgh, Scotland 16 – 25 July 9 121
42 1383
X 1974 Christchurch, N Z. 24 Jan. – 2 Feb. 9 121
38 1276
*Commonwealth Games*
XI 1978 Edmonton, Canada 3 – 12 August 10 128
46
1474
XII 1982 Brisbane, Australia 30 Sep. — 9 Oct. 10
142 46 1583
XIII 1986 Edinburgh, Scotland 24 July – 2 August 10 163
26 1662
XIV 1990 Auckland, New Zealand 24 Jan. – 3 Feb. 10 204
55 2073
XV 1994 Victoria, Canada 18 – 28 August 10 217
63 2557
XVI 1998 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 11 – 21 Sept. 15
213
70 3633
XVII 2002 Manchester, England 25 July – 4 August 17 281
72 3679
XVIII 2006 Melbourne, Australia 15 – 26 March 16 245
71
4049
XIX 2010 Delhi, India 3 – 14 October 17 272
71 6081
XX 2014 Glasgow, Scotland 23 July – 3 August
XXI 2018 Gold Coast, Australia or Hambantota, Sri Lanka To be decided
Ø The event was renamed as the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in
1954, the British Commonwealth Games in 1970, and gained its current title
in 1978.
Ø Only six teams have attended every Commonwealth Games: Australia, Canada,
England, New Zealand, Scotland and Wales. Australia has been the highest
achieving team for eleven games, England for seven and Canada for one.
Ø The quadrennial schedule of the games was interrupted by World War II and
the 1942 Games (set to be held in Montreal, Canada) were abandoned.[4] The
games were continued in 1950
Ø The three nations to have hosted the games the most number of times are
Australia (4), Canada (4) and New Zealand (3). Furthermore, five editions
have taken place in the countries within the United Kingdom. Two cities have
held the games on multiple occasions: Auckland (1950 and 1990), and
Edinburgh (1970 and 1986).
*Traditions***
Ø From 1930 until 1950, the parade of nations was led by a single
flagbearer carrying the Union Flag.
Ø Since 1958, the Queen's Baton Relay has taken place, in which athletes
carry a baton from Buckingham Palace to the games opening ceremony. This
baton has within it Queen Elizabeth II's message of greeting to the
athletes. The baton's final bearer is usually a famous sporting personage of
the host nation.
Ø 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.
Ø 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.
Ø 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
*XIX Commonwealth Games***
Ø The 2010 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XIX Commonwealth
Games, were held in Delhi, India, from 3 to 14 October 2010.
Ø A total of 6,081 athletes from 71 Commonwealth nations and dependencies
competed in 17 sports and 272 events.
Ø It was the largest international multi-sport event to be staged in Delhi
and India, eclipsing the Asian Games in 1951 and 1982.
Ø The opening and closing ceremonies were held at the Jawaharlal Nehru
Stadium, the main stadium of the event. It was the first time that the
Commonwealth Games were held in India and the second time it was held in
Asia after Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 1998.
Ø All member nations of the Commonwealth of Nations participated in the
event, except Fiji, which is suspended from the Commonwealth. and Tokelau,
which didn't send a team.
Ø The final medal tally was led by Australia. The host nation India gave
its strongest performance yet to emerge second, while England placed third.
Ø The games closed on 14th October in a colorful and appreciated closing
ceremony featuring both Indian and Scottish performers.The Commonwealth
Games flag was handed over to representatives of Glasgow, Scotland, which
will host the XX Commonwealth Games in 2014.
* *
*Bids*
Ø The two principal bids for the 2010 Commonwealth Games were from Delhi,
India and Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. A ballot of members was held in
November 2003 at the Commonwealth Games Federation General Assembly in
Montego Bay, Jamaica. Delhi bid won by a margin of 46 votes to 22,
confirming India's first successful bid for the Games. The bid was Canada's
attempt to hold the games for the fifth time.
Ø India also thanked Latif Butt, former vice president of the Olympic
Council of Asia, for his support in the winning bid.
*Organising Committee*
Ø The Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi (OC CWG Delhi
2010) came into being on 10 February 2005, as a registered society under the
Societies Registration Act 1860.
Ø It was resolved by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) in the General
Assembly held in Jamaica on 13 November 2003 to entrust the organising and
hosting of the XIX Commonwealth Games to the Indian Olympic Association
(IOA).
Ø Jarnail Singh <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jarnail_Singh>, a former
Secretary of the Government of India, was appointed as the Chief Executive
Officer and Indian Olympic
Association<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Olympic_Association>president
Suresh
Kalmadi <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suresh_Kalmadi> was appointed as head
of the committee.
Ø At the launch of the Queen’s Baton Relay in October 2009, the Business
Club of India (BCI) was formed through the partnership of the organising
committee, the Confederation of Indian
Industry<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confederation_of_Indian_Industry>(CII)
and the Federation
of Indian Chambers of Commerce and
Industry<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federation_of_Indian_Chambers_of_Commerc...>(FICCI).
The BCI was formed to both market the Games and promote Indian
business interests internationally.
*Logo*
Ø The logo of the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi is inspired by the
Chakra, the national symbol of freedom, unity and power. Spiralling upwards,
it depicts the growth of India into a proud, vibrant nation. Her billion
people coming together to fulfil their true destinies. India`s journey from
tradition to modernity, her economic transformation into a super power…
reaching out to the world and leading the way, even as she enthusiastically
embraces all the 71 CGA nations and territories of the Commonwealth to
become one and host the best ever Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
*Opening ceremony*
Ø The opening ceremony of the 2010 Commonwealth Games was held at the
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the main stadium of the event, in New Delhi,
India. It began at 7:00 PM (IST) on 3 October 2010 ending at 11:00 PM (IST)
displaying India's varied culture in a plethora of cultural showcases. It
was watched live by a global audience of around three billion.
Ø Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (representing Queen Elizabeth II as Head
of the Commonwealth) and President of India Pratibha Patil officially
declared the Games open. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of the host nation,
India, attended the opening ceremony as well.
Ø A total of three heads of state from outside India attended the opening
ceremony; two from Commonwealth nations and one from a non-Commonwealth
nation. The three head of states are Mohamed Nasheed, President of the
Maldives, Marcus Stephen, President of Nauru and a multiple Commonwealth
gold medallist, and Prince Albert II of Monaco, whose country Monaco is not
a member of the Commonwealth. As well, Sir Anand Satyanand, the Governor
General of New Zealand (the first of Indian descent), attended the ceremony.
*Theme song*
Ø The XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi’s theme song, Jiyo Utho Bado Jeeto
(Live, Rise, Ascend, Win), music maestro A. R. Rahman’s call to the people
and athletes of India and the Commonwealth to come out and play was launched
on 28 August 2010.
*Official mascot*
Ø The official mascot for the 2010 Commonwealth Games is Shera, an
anthropomorphised tiger.
Ø The song ‘Shera’ was conceived and produced by Vikramjit Sahney. The
music composer is Jeetu J. The song has been sung in Hindi and English by
Vikramjit Sahney, Shibani Kashyap and Millind. It reflects the spirit of
Shera, representing majesty, power, charisma and grace.
*Green Commonwealth Games*
Ø Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games being recognised as the first ever "Green
Commonwealth Games"
Ø The organisers signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United
Nations Environment Programme to show the intention to host a "sustainable
games" and to take the environment into consideration when constructing and
renovating venues. Thyagaraj Stadium is intended to be a key example of
environmentally considered construction.
*Queen’s Baton Relay*
Ø The Queen's Baton Relay began when the baton, which contains Queen
Elizabeth II's message to the athletes, left Buckingham Palace on 29 October
2009.
Ø The baton arrived at the 2010 Games opening ceremony on 3 October 2010,
after visiting the other 54 nations of the Commonwealth and travelling
throughout India, reaching millions of people to join in the celebrations
for the Games.The baton arrived in India on 25 June 2010 through the Wagah
Border crossing from Pakistan.
Ø The baton was designed by Michael Foley, a graduate of the National
Institute of Design. It is a triangular section of aluminium twisted into a
helix shape and then coated with coloured soils collected from all the
regions of India. The coloured soils are a first for the styling of a
Queen's Baton. A jewel-encrusted box was used to house the Queen's message,
which was laser-engraved onto a miniature 18 carat gold leaf—representative
of the ancient Indian 'patras.
Ø The Queen's baton is ergonomically contoured for ease of use. It is 664
millimetres (26.1 in) high, 34 millimetres (1.3 in) wide at the base, and 86
millimetres (3.4 in) wide at the top and weighs 1,900 grams (67 oz).
Ø The Queen's baton has a number of technological features including: a)
The ability to capture images and sound. b) Global positioning system (GPS)
technology so the baton's location can be tracked c) Embedded light
emitting diodes (LEDs) which will change into the colours of a country’s
flag whilst in that country
Ø A text messaging capability so that people can send messages of
congratulations and encouragement to the baton bearers throughout the relay
*Sports for the 2010 Commonwealth Games*
There were 17 sports for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
1. Aquatics : Diving, Swimming, Synchronised swimming.
2. Archery (8) 3. Athletics (46) 4. Badminton (6)
5. Boxing (11)
6. Cycling : Road, Track.
7. Gymnastics : Artistic gymnastics, Rhythmic gymnastics.
8. Hockey (2) 9. Lawn bowls (6) 10. Netball (1)
11. Rugby sevens (1) 12. Shooting (44) 13. Squash
(5)
14. Table tennis (7) 15. Tennis (5) 16. Weightlifting
(15)
17. Wrestling (21)
Ø Kabaddi was a demonstration sport at the Games.
Ø Triathlon was excluded from the games as there was no suitable location
for the swimming stage.
Ø The organisers have also removed basketball, but included archery, tennis
and wrestling.
Ø Cricket, although in strong demand, did not make a come-back as the Board
of Control for Cricket in India were not keen on a Twenty20 tournament, and
the organisers did not want a one day tournament.
*Participating nations*
Ø There are currently 54 members of the Commonwealth of Nations, and 71
teams participate in the Games.
Ø The four Home Nations of the United Kingdom – England, Scotland, Wales
and Northern Ireland – send separate teams to the Commonwealth Games, and
individual teams are also sent from the British Crown dependencies of
Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man (unlike at the Olympic Games, where the
combined "Great Britain" team represents all four home nations and the Crown
dependencies).
Ø Many of the British overseas territories also send their own teams.
Ø The Australian external territory of Norfolk Island also sends its own
team, as do the Cook Islands and Niue, two states in free association with
New Zealand.
Ø It was reported that Tokelau, another dependency of New Zealand would be
sending a team to the 2010 Games in New Delhi, India. In the end however
they did not.
Ø All member nations of the Commonwealth of Nations participated in the
event, except Fiji, which is suspended from the Commonwealth.
Ø Rwanda fielded a team for the games for the first time after becoming a
Commonwealth member in 2009.
*Numbers of athletes are shown in brackets*.
Anguilla (12)
Antigua and Barbuda (17)
Australia (377)
Bahamas (25)
Bangladesh (70)
Barbados (39)
Belize (9)
Bermuda (14)
Botswana (49)
British Virgin Islands (2)
Brunei (12)
Cameroon (20)
Canada (251)
Cayman Islands (17)
Cook Islands (31)
Cyprus (56)
Dominica (15)
England (365)
Falkland Islands (15)
Gambia (17)
Ghana (64)
Gibraltar (15)
Grenada (10)
Guernsey (43)
Guyana (34)
India (495)
Isle of Man (33)
Jamaica (48)
Jersey (33)
Kenya (136)
Kiribati(17)
Lesotho (10)
Malawi (43)
Malaysia (203)
Maldives (28)
Malta (22)
Mauritius (60)
Montserrat (5)
Mozambique (10)
Namibia (30)
Nauru (6)
New Zealand (192)
Nigeria (101)
Niue (24)
Norfolk Island (22)
Northern Ireland (80)
Pakistan (54)
Papua New Guinea (79)
Rwanda (22)
Saint Helena (4)
Saint Kitts and Nevis (7)
Saint Lucia (13)
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines(14)
Samoa (53)
Scotland (191)
Seychelles (26)
Sierra Leone (31)
Singapore (68)
Solomon Islands (12)
South Africa (113)
Sri Lanka (93)
Swaziland (11)
Tanzania (40)
Tonga (22)
Trinidad and Tobago (82)
Turks and Caicos Islands (8)
Tuvalu (3)
Uganda (65)
Vanuatu (14)
Wales (175)
Zambia (22)
*Special investigation committee to probe the allegations of corruption and
mismanagement*
Ø The day after the conclusion of the Games, the Indian Government
announced the formation of a special investigation committee to probe the
allegations of corruption and mismanagement that had marred the buildup to
the Games.
Ø The probe committee will be led by former Comptroller and Auditor General
of India VK Shungloo. This probe will be in addition to the Central Bureau
of Investigation, Enforcement Directorate, and Central Vigilance Commission
investigations already underway.
--
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