Commonwealth Games 2018, officially named as the XXI Commonwealth Games started from 4 April 2018. It is the fifth time that Australia is going to host this sports event. It is expected to draw more than 6000 athletes from 71 nations and about one million spectators. Barobi, the blue surfing koala, is the official mascot of this event. Commonwealth games has achieved a special rank in the world of sports and is accredited as the third major event after Olympics games and Asian games.

Let’s take a look at some interesting facts about it:

Sports

This year, there will be seven para-sports and ten core sports, including athletics, badminton, boxing, hockey, lawn bowls, netball, rugby 7s, squash, and weightlifting. In addition to this, there are eight optional sports including beach volleyball, cycling, gymnastics, etc. Beach volleyball, para-triathlon, and women's rugby sevens have been added to the schedule for the first time. Moreover, basketball has made a comeback after a 12-year hiatus. What would be remarkable about this commonwealth games is that there will be an equal number of men and women’s events.

History

The idea of this international sports festival was proposed by John Astley Copper, a clergyman of the Anglican Church in 1981. In an article for The Times, he wrote that a Pan-Britannic-Pan-Anglican contest or festival could help to increase the goodwill of British Empire.

In 1911, during George V’s coronation, an international championship was organized as part of the celebration. The participants were mainly members of the British Empire, namely Canada, Australasia, South Africa, and the UK. After the successful completion of this event, there had been no such competitions for the next two decades, until 1930 when the first British Empire Games was organized. It was first held in Hamilton, Canada. The games featured many sports, including athletics, lawn bowls, rowing, boxing, and diving. Women were not allowed to participate in these games except aquatic sports.

In 1952, the British Empire Games was renamed as the British Empire and Commonwealth Games. It was first held in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Canada in 1954. What made this event memorable was the entry of two new countries, i.e., Northern Rhodesia and Pakistan in the participant’s list. Moreover, the legendary race ran by Roger Bannister of England, and John Landy of Australia made a sensation all across the world. The event is remembered today as the Miracle Mile. The second British Commonwealth games was held in 1966, and this time, Jamaica hosted it.

In 1970, the British Empire and Commonwealth Games was renamed as British Commonwealth Games. It first took place in 1970 in Scotland. This event made a special place in the history of sports as it was the first time when the metric system had been used. The second British Commonwealth Games was hosted by New Zealand in 1974. It is remembered as the first sporting event that put the safety of coaches and athletes first before anything else.

In the year 1978, this event was renamed as the Commonwealth Games. It was hosted by Canada and featured 1,500 athletes from 46 countries around the world. Since then, it has been continuously organized in every four years.

Hope you liked reading these interesting facts about Commonwealth Games. As this time, it is hosted by Australia, so book your tickets as soon as possible to enjoy the live event. However, if loads of academic projects are standing as a hurdle, then seek help from our assignment writing experts. Instant Assignment Help Australia has an experienced team of academic writers and proofreaders who have so far helped many students with high-quality assignments.