2002 Commonwealth Games, Manchester

At the Manchester Commonwealth games in 2002 72 nations participated. The unique quality of commonwealth Games is that it gives an opportunity to the former British colonies to compete against each other. The venue of the 2002 Commonwealth Games, Manchester was spread out. The shooting events were held at the National Shooting Center located in Bisley. The event line-up at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester included the following:

• Aquatics
• Athletics
• Badminton
• Boxing
• Gymnastics
• Field Hockey
• Cycling
• Judo
• Lawn Bowls
• Netball
• Rugby Sevens
• Shooting
• Squash
• Table Tennis
• Triathlon
• Wrestling
• Weightlifting

Some of the events that are held at the Commonwealth games are unusual. Sports like lawn bowling, Rugby Sevens and netball are generally not held at other sporting events. These events distinguishes the Commonwealth Games from the rest of the competitions. The 2002 Commonwealth Games, Manchester saw the comeback of the EAD categories of games. After a lapse of one year of the Commonwealth games the Elite Athlete Disability or EAD sporting events were held. The EAD games were held in the following gaming division:

• Swimming
• Athletics
• Bowls
• Table Tennis
• Weightlifting

The medals won in these categories were included in the medal tally of each nations.

The opening ceremony of the game included the traditional Queens baton relay. This relay was first held at the 1958 Commonwealth games. Since then this has become part of the opening custom of Commonwealth games. The baton contains a message of the head of the Commonwealth Games. At the end of the race the runner presents it to the Queen or her representative. And the message is read out. This officially begins the game. The 2002 Commonwealth Games, Manchester was special in the fact that the Queen celebrated her Golden Jubilee in the same year.
At this 2002 Commonwealth Games meet Australia walked away with the maximum number of Gold medals followed by England and in third position was Canada. India was just one medal short of the 31 Gold medals won by Canada.
The closing ceremony marked the end of this grand sporting event. Queen Elizabeth II declared the games closed. An invitation to the participants was extended on her part to compete in the 2006 Commonwealth Games scheduled to be held at Melbourne.
For more information About Commonwealth Games visit Delhicommonwealthgame.com.