HOW DID THE GAMES BEGIN?
The event first emerged as a way to bring together the nations of the British Empire. Although this idea was considered in the 1890s, the first games weren’t held until 1930 in Hamilton, Canada. Only 11 nations competed, compared to 72 in 2022. The 11 nations were Australia, Bermuda, British Guyana, Canada, England, Northern Ireland, Newfoundland, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa and Wales. 400 athletes competed in the six sports available, with Canadian triple jumper Gordon Smallacombe winning the first Commonwealth gold medal. Aside from athletics, the other sports of the first games were boxing, lawn bowls, rowing, swimming, diving and wrestling. Women were only allowed to compete in the aquatic events.