Commonwealth Games

The 'Friendly Games'

The Commonwealth Games is a sporting event staged between the elite athletes of countries from the Commonwealth. It is held every 4 years, and is conducted over many sports, in a format much like the Olympic Games.

The Commonwealth Games attracts the top athletes of member nations of the Commonwealth, thus making it a world-class competition, second only to the Olympic Games in many people's opinion.

The Commonwealth Games are unique in the world of sport as it is based on a historical linkage of Commonwealth countries, not based on geographic features such as the Asian, Pan Am and African Games, or based on climatic conditions such as the Winter Olympics. The Games are also unique as it shares a common language, unlike the Olympic Games, as all athletes and officials can speak with each other in English, creating an atmosphere that has led to the Commonwealth Games being long known as the 'Friendly Games'. (see comparison between the Commonwealth and Olympic Games.

The next Commonwealth Games are being held inDelhi, India, in 2010.

Want to buy a ticket? For information go here.

See Other Pages

• Host cities
• Country Profiles - facts and figures about each country's participation at the Games
• History
• Mascots - a list of mascots for each of the Games from 1978
• Boycotts
• Which sports are included
• Queen's Baton Relay - where it goes and what it means
• Medal counts from previous games
• Name changes - The Commonwealth Games has been known by a few different names
• Books - books about the Commonwealth Games for sale