The initial concept of the “Commonwealth Games” can be credited
to the Rev. Astly Cooper of England, who in July 1891 in a
magazine “Greater Britain” and later, on 31st October 1891 in “The
Times” suggested a “Pan-Britannic-Pan Anglican Contest and
Festival … every four years as a means of increasing the goodwill
and good understanding of the Empire”.
Although the first Games was not to take place for nearly forty
years it is fitting to make reference to this chapter in it’s
history.
Mr Richard Coombs, for thirty-five years President of the Amateur
Athletic Union of Australia, later on, both before and after the
“Festival of Empire” in 1911, continually drew attention to the
value of an “Empire Sports” gathering.
Mention must also be made of the so-called “Inter-Empire
Championships” which took place in 1911 as part of the “Festival
of Empire” held in London to mark the coronation of King George V
Teams from Australia, Canada, South Africa and the United Kingdom
competed against each other in Athletics, Boxing, Swimming and
Wrestling.
All such plans were overshadowed by the first world war.
Nevertheless, in 1920 after the Olympic Games in Antwerp and those
in 1924 in Paris, track and field events between British Empire
and the USA were held at Queen’s Club and Stamford Bridge, in
London.
It was not until the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam that the
first practical steps were taken to organise the British Empire
Games. It was Mr M. M. (Bobby) Robinson of Canada who called a
meeting of representatives of all Empire countries, and made the
proposal that the British Empire Games should be held in Canada in
1930. These Games in Hamilton, Canada, are regarded as the true
starting point of the present series of Commonwealth Games.
The name, British Empire Games, was changed in 1950 to British
Empire and Commonwealth Games. In 1966, it was again changed to
British Commonwealth Games and on the 27th January 1974, a General
Assembly decision, reflecting the growth in Commonwealth
membership, changed the name to Commonwealth Games and the
international body became The Commonwealth Games Federation.
The opening of the Games is symbolised by the raising of the
Commonwealth Games Ceremonial Flag. The first ceremonial flag was
presented by the British Empire Games Association of Canada after
the first Games in Hamilton in 1930.
The new ceremonial flag was presented by the British Empire and
Commonwealth Games Association of Canada for use at the Games in
Vancouver in 1954. This incorporated the symbol of the Games on a
white background.
With the change of name in 1966 to British Commonwealth Games the
former flags were no longer appropriate. Subsequently the British
Commonwealth Games Association of Canada presented a new flat
bearing the symbol of the crown encircled by a continuous chain of
35 links representing the number of countries taking part, with
the letters B.C.G., in gold on a solid dark blue field.
The ceremonial flags of the period 1954-1966 and from 1970 on,
were presented to the Chairman of the British Commonwealth Games
Federation by Colonel Jack Davies, President of the Commonwealth
Games Association of Canada.
The ceremonial flag is hoisted at the Opening of the Games, and
flies continuously night and day during the period of the Games
until it is lowered at the Closing ceremony. It is then handed to
the Chief Citizen of the Host City for safe-keeping until it is
sent by him four years later to the Chief-Citizen of the next host
city to stage the Games.
For the VI British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, 1958,
Her Majesty The Queen handed over at Buckingham Palace, a
specially designed baton, containing a message from herself to the
carried by a series of runners to Cardiff, and to be handed over
at the Opening Ceremony and there read to all those assembled in
the stadium. Six hundred and sixty four runners carried the baton.
This relay, conveying The Queen’s message, is now an integral part
of the Games.
On 20th July 1952, the British Empire and Commonwealth Games
adopted a symbol for the Games, and requested all its affiliated
Associations to ensure that it be used only in connection with the
Games and not for commercial purposes.
The symbol consisted of a Crown with “B.E & C.G” below these being
in gold and surrounded by a gold linked chain superimposed on a
dark blue circular background, itself edged with gold. The working
“B.E & C.G” now reads “C.G”. This symbol was first used in
connection with the British Empire and Commonwealth Games,
Vancouver 1954.
The Earl of Lonsdale presented the Lonsdale Trophy for the winning
team at the “Inter-Empire Sports Meeting” held at Crystal Palace,
London and staged as part of the celebrations of the “Festival of
Empire” in 1911. This trophy was won by the Canadian Team by one
point, and was retained by Canada until presented to the British
Empire Games Federation in 1934. The Cup stood 2ft 6ins high and
weighed 340 ounces (27lbs troy).
In 1934, with the approval of the Earl of Lonsdale and of Canada,
the Trophy was melted down and on principal cup, in the design of
an original Queen Anne Cup and cover made by Richard Bayley in
1712, was presented to the Federation. It is now on display in the
Royal Commonwealth Society in London. Replicas of this principal
cup were presented to:-
The Earl of Lonsdale
The British Empire Games Associations of:-
Australia, Bermuda, Canada, England, India, New Zealand,
Newfoundland, Rhodesia, Scotland, South Africa, Wales
At a meeting of Empire Games representatives in Los Angeles on
7th August 1932, a decision to form the British Empire Federation
was taken, and as confirmed later on in London when a British
Empire Games Association had been set up in the many countries
concerned. The structure of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF)
is made up of the following positions:
Patron – Queen Elizabeth II
Vice Patron - Prince Edward
President
Vice President
Vice President
Hon Secretary
Hon Treasurer
Hon Legal Adviser
Hon Medical Adviser
Regional Vice President - Africa
Regional Vice President - Asia
Regional Vice President - America
Regional Vice President - Caribbean
Regional Vice President - Europe
Regional Vice President - Oceania
Athlete Representative
Plus a co-opted Member (where gender balance is not met)
Chief Executive - CGF (ex-officio)
Membership of the Commonwealth Games Federation is open to one
duly recognised Commonwealth Games Association from each of the
constituent parts of the Commonwealth. Each competitor must be a
citizen or subject of a constituent part of the Commonwealth.
