Origin of Commonwealth Games

In 1928, Melville Marks ( Booby) Robinson was requested to shoulder the responsibility of organising the Commonwealth games which was then known as the British Empire Games in Canada. In 1930, the British Empire Games was held in Hamilton and Ontario. Eleven countries participated in this international event. Countries like United Kingdom, Wales, Scotland, British Guiana, Canada, New Zealand, New Foundland, Australia, South Africa, Ireland, Bermuda participated in the events like wrestling, boxing, athletics, lawn bowls, rowing, swimming.

From the origin of commonwealth games much change have been noticed in the Commonwealth games. British Empire Games was organised till 1950 and it was only in this year that the name of the event was changed to the British Empire and Commonwealth Games. The name was changed mainly to recognise the sovereignty of those countries who became free and independent from the British dominance.

After the name of the British Empire Games was changed to the British Empire and Commonwealth Games a new flag was designed for the sake of this sports event instead of the British flag which was there so long symbolizing the dominance of Great Britain over its colonial countries. This new flag was introduced in Vancouver in the year 1954.

In 1958 and 1962 the British Empire and Commonwealth Games took place simultaneously in Cardiff and Perth.

The name British Empire and Commonwealth Games continued till 1966 when this event was organised in Kingston. Later on the word empire was discarded and only British Commonwealth Games was retained.

In 1970, during the ninth British Commonwealth Games, a new flag was adopted. The configuration of the chain which was earlier pentagonal in shape was transformed to circle and the circular chain was placed against the royal blue color.

In 1978 Commonwealth games was organised in Edmonton, Alberta and it is here that the another new flag emerged.

From the origin of the commonwealth games it has become a tradition to hold a relay bearing a torch which is supposed to have the best wishes of the queen. The torch is usually carried from the Buckingham Palace to the venue of the opening ceremony.

From the year of its inception, all the participants are to take part in a parade. Usually the previous host country is the first in the parade whereas the host country is the last one. There are three flags which are commonly noticed in the inagrural ceremony of commonwealth games; the flag of the host nation and that of the previous as well as the next host country.

So if you are interested to know more about the commonwealth games then try to gain more knowledge on the origin of commonwealth games.