As the Commonwealth Games commence today, a
look at some of the interesting facts about the
sporting extravaganza, which is second only to
the Olympics, going by the number of countries
participating and athletes on show:
1. The Commonwealth Games held once every
four years is a unique, world class event which
was first referred to as the ‘Friendly Games’.
2. The first Commonwealth Games were held in
Canada in 1930.
3. The Commonwealth is made up by 53 member
countries and each of those countries qualifies to
compete
4. Australia leads the way with a staggering 803
Gold medals, the only nation with over 2,000
medals
5. Scotland has previously hosted the
Commonwealth Games twice, in 1970 and 1986,
both in Edinburgh.
6. The Queen’s Baton travelled around the
Commonwealth for 288 days before the Games
covering more than 118,000 miles. The first
Queens Baton Relay was staged for the 1958
Commonwealth Games in Cardiff.
7. At the 2014 Games there will be 6,500 athletes
from 71 nations competing in 17 sports over 11
days.
8. The Games are made up of 10 core sports and
then the other 7 can be selected by the host.
9. In the first Commonwealth Games to be staged
only 400 athletes from 11 countries took part.
10. At the 2014 Games, five sports will run 22
Para-Sport medal events, the highest number of
events to date.