Junior SCHOOLS All about the Commonwealth Games All about the Commonwealth Games History of the games The first Commonwealth Games was held in 1930 in Canada, although at that time it was known as the British Empire Games. Although there are 53 member states in the A spectacular sporting event Commonwealth, 70 countries compete in the The Commonwealth Games is finally here. Commonwealth Games. This is because a number of dependent territories (a territory he Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games that is not fully independent), such as the (GC2018), held this year in Queensland, Australia, T Falkland Islands and Gibraltar, compete under kicked off on 4 April. The Commonwealth Games MOST their own flags. The four home nations of the is often referred to as the Friendly Games, but the UK – England, Scotland, Wales and Northern event still pits some of the world’s fittest, fastest and DECORATED Ireland – send separate teams. most formidable athletes against each other in COUNTRY a spectacular sporting showdown. Around one Australia has won 2,218 billion viewers worldwide watch 6,600 athletes medals (852 gold) since from 70 countries compete in 18 sports, including the Commonwealth Four fast facts about GC2018 athletics, diving, netball and table tennis and Games began. ● The main stage in Carrara, a city in Queensland, for the first time this year, there will be an equal can hold 40,000 people and will host the number of medal events for men and women. To opening and closing ceremonies. make them equal, seven new women’s events and ● The Queen’s Baton, which contains a categories have been added to the Games. GC2018 message from the Queen, chairman Peter Beattie said, “We’ve come a long travelled from London way since the first Games in 1930, when women in March 2017 to competed in just seven medal events”. Queensland, visiting six Commonwealth regions What is the Commonwealth? and covering more The Commonwealth is a collection of 53 than 142,915 miles. countries, which are known as member This is the furthest it states. Many of these countries were has travelled in the once part of a group known as the British history of the Games. Empire that was ruled by Britain. Many of ● Athletes at the these countries now govern themselves, Commonwealth Games although the British monarch (Queen eat a lot of food. In fact, Elizabeth II) remains their head of state. The around 27,000 meals Commonwealth as we know it today was will be prepared daily. formed in 1949. All member states have signed up to a set of values including fair ● This is the fifth time The Queen government, equality between men and Australia has hosted holds the Queen’s Baton. women and international peace and security. the Games. Five memorable moments The Miracle First indigenous The Commonwealth 2002 Commonwealth Youngest medal 1954 Mile 1994 Australian to win gold 2000 Youth Games 2002 Games Manchester 2014 winner Roger Bannister and John Landy In the 1994 Commonwealth Games in The first Youth Games was held in Edinburgh, The games arrived in Manchester in 2002 and In 2014, at just 13 years were the first male athletes to Victoria, Australia, Cathy Freeman Scotland, in 2000. Around 733 was the largest multi-sport event in the UK since old, Erraid Davies from run one mile in less than four made history by becoming the athletes aged 14–18 from 14 the 1948 Olympic Games. It fell in the same year Scotland became the minutes in 1954. In the same first indigenous Australian countries competed in eight as the Queen’s Golden Jubilee (the Queen’s 50th youngest winner of a year, at the Commonwealth to win a gold medal at the sports over three days. anniversary on the throne). The Queen said, “We can Commonwealth medal. Games, they were set for the games. She won the 200 and In 2017, Team England all draw inspiration from what the Commonwealth The swimmer managed race of their lives – against 400 metre races. Indigenous topped the medal stands for: our diversity as to grab a bronze medal each other. Nicknamed the Australians, also known as table with a total of 51 a source of strength; at the 2014 Miracle Mile, the race was Aboriginal Australians, are people who medals. One of the stars our tradition of Commonwealth watched by 35,000 fans. After a were living in Australia before the first was swimmer Layla tolerance... our Games in Glasgow, stomach-churning few minutes, Bannister Europeans arrived. A delighted Freeman Black, who won a gold focus on young competing in the races past Bannister raced past Landy, beating celebrated her win by running a lap of medal in the 200-metre people, for they 100-metre Landy. Erraid Davies him by less than a second. honour while carrying the Aboriginal flag. breaststroke race. are the future.” breaststroke race. GETTY IMAGES · ALAMY SHUTTERSTOCK GETTY IMAGES ©THE WEEK JUNIOR, DENNIS PUBLISHING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Layla Black schools.theweekjunior.co.uk schools.theweekjunior.co.uk.