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| HISTORY
OF COMMONWEALTH GAMES |
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The
Concept and History
The very concept of Commonwealth
Games can be attributed to Rev. Astly Cooper of England, who in the
year 1891 wrote in a magazine about a contest named "Pan-Britannic-Pan-Anglican
Contest and festival" to be held every four years. His motive
was to make the commonwealth countries - then the countries
ruled by British - unite and aware of the English Empire.
Mr. Richard Coombs, who remained the president of Amateur Athletic
Union of Australia, continued to emphasize on sporting events focusing
at bringing the empire estates under one roof. In the year 1911, the
"Festival of Empire" took place to mark the coronation
of King George V. Teams from countries like Canada, South Africa,
Australia and United Kingdom participated in the sporting event. Athletics,
swimming, boxing and wrestling were some of the sports played in the
championship.
The effort to continue hosting such events went into vain as the championship
and the whole initiative was hit by the First World War. But keeping
the spirits alive, track and field events between USA and British
Empire were held at Queen's Club and Stamford Bridge in London
after the Olympics in 1920 (Antwerp) and 1924 (Paris).
Until the 1928 Olympic Games, there was no appropriate steps taken
to initiate anything like the British Empire Games but it was Mr.
M.M Robinson of Canada who called on all British Empire countries
and put forth a proposal that British Empire Games be held in Canada
in 1930. The first game of such kind was held in the Canadian city
of Hamilton and was regarded as the starting point of the great event,
popularly known as the Commonwealth Games.
The name "British Empire Games" was changed to "British
Empire and Commonwealth Games" in 1950. The name was again changed
to "British Commonwealth Games in 1966. Sighting the popularity
of these games and the interests of the participating countries, the
name was again changed on January 27, 1974 by the unanimous decision
of the General Assembly. Since then it is called Commonwealth Games
and the international body governing these games is known as The Commonwealth
Games Federation.
The specialty of Commonwealth Games lies in the very concept of games
that it has been founded on history unlike any other forms of games
based on geographic or climatic factors. To name a few other forms
of games, there are Asian, African Gamers, Winter Olympic Games and
Pan Am. Commonwealth Games have always been known as friendly games
held among English Ruled countries and the participating officials
and players can converse among themselves in English. This makes the
games a special event because a friendly environment is created and
the member countries share many other aspects other than the games.
Commonwealth Games Flag
British Empire Games Association of Canada presented the first ceremonial
flag after the first games in Hamilton in 1930. Later in 1954, the
British Empire and Commonwealth Games Association of Canada presented
a new flag for the Games in Vancouver. The flag was having the symbol
of the games in a white background.
Since the name was again changed to British Commonwealth Games in
the year 1966, the previous flag was no more in use. So the British
Commonwealth Games Association of Canada presented a new flag having
the symbol of the crown encompassed by a chain of 35 links depicting
the participating countries. The flag had the Abbreviation "B.C.G"
printed in gold on a solid dark background.
The ceremonial flag is hoisted on the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth
Games. The flag is left undisturbed throughout the day and night till
the games period. After the Commonwealth Games concludes, the flag
is handed over to the head citizen of the hosting city for safeguarding
the flag till the next event and to be sent to the next hosting city
after a gap of four years.
In 1958, the Queen handed over a baton, designed especially for the
sixth British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Cardiff. It had a message
to be unfolded in the opening ceremony of the games in Cardiff. Around
664 runners carried that special baton for the Commonwealth Games
at Cardiff. This transmit, passing on the Queen's message is
now an eternal part of the Commonwealth Games.
The British Empire and Commonwealth Games Association formally adopted
a symbol for the Commonwealth Games on July 20, 1952 to be used by
all the participating countries. It was strictly instructed that the
symbol be used for Games only and not for any other purpose. This
symbol was first used in the Commonwealth Games held at Vancouver
in 1954.
The letter "B.E & C.G" on the symbol was later replaced
with "BCG" in 1966. In the year 1974, the name on the
flag was changed and the new inscription "C.G" was adopted.
The "C.G" on the Commonwealth Games Flag was again changed
to "C.G.F" in 2002 Games at Manchester, England.
Commonwealth Games Federation
The complete structure of Commonwealth Games Federation consists of
the following hierarchy or 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 to the Commonwealth Games Federation is permitted only
to formally recognised Commonwealth Games Association from each of
the constituent parts of the Commonwealth. Every participating member
must be a citizen of a constituent association or a part of the Commonwealth.
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