Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games
Athletes from Northern Ireland have taken part in every edition of the Games, except 1950, and have the distinction of achieving medal success at each and every one. In 1930, a single Ireland team competed, and in 1934 both a team from Irish Free State and Northern Ireland competed. As one of the Home Countries in the UK, Northern Ireland is not able to be a member of the Olympic Movement so the Commonwealth Games provides the only opportunity for its athletes to compete at the international level in a multi-sport event.
Northern Ireland entering the stadium at the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane (image source: Qld State Archives)Trivia
- The Province of Northern Ireland is bordered by the Republic of Ireland on the island of Ireland. It is made up of six counties; County Antrim, County Armagh, County Londonderry, County Down, County Fermanagh and County Tyrone.
- At the games the Northern Ireland team uses the flag of the former Government of Northern Ireland, the Ulster Banner as its national flag. The team uses Londonderry Air as its victory anthem.
- The first gold medals won by Northern Ireland were in Lawn bowls (Watson & Rosbotham) and athletics (Thelma Hopkins) in 1954.
- Northern Irish veteran shooter David Calvert has appeared a record 11 Commonwealth Games (1978-2018), the record of the most appearances at the Games.
Related Pages
- Ireland at the Commonwealth Games, also Irish Free State
- list of Commonwealth Games competing countries
- About Sport in Northern Ireland
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