Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF)
2nd Floor, 138 Piccadilly, London W1J 7NR, UK>
Tel: +44 20 7491 8801 | Fax: +44 20 7409 7803 | Email: info@thecgf.com | www.thecgf.com
First held in 1930 in Hamilton, Canada, today the Commonwealth Games is the world’s second-largest multi-sports event, and the fourth most-watched global broadcast sports event. Featuring athletes from 71 nations and territories, the Commonwealth Games has provided some of the most memorable moments in world sport; from England’s Roger Bannister and Australia’s John Landy duelling it out over the ‘Miracle Mile’ at the 1954 Vancouver Games, to Northern Irish boxer Barry McGuigan winning the Gold at the 1978 Edmonton games – instantly becoming a figure of unity to a then divided nation. The achievements of athletes such as Australia’s Dawn Fraser and Ian Thorpe at the Commonwealth Games are the stuff of legend, but who can forget the amazing 4ft 9in weightlifter Precious McKenzie? Barred from competing for South Africa due to apartheid, McKenzie competed for England and New Zealand, and won four consecutive gold medals. It’s the inspiring athletes such as McKenzie as much as their diversity and world-class action that make ‘the friendly games’ such an indispensable, and enjoyable, part of the global sports calendar. It’s a chance for smaller nations to shine, and for sports popular among Commonwealth nations – such as netball, rugby 7s and Lawn Bowls – to play on a unique stage.
Officers: President: HRH Prince Imran (Malaysia); Chief Executive: Michael Hooper
Activities: The Federation promotes the Commonwealth Games, held every four years. It also encourages and supports the holding of single sport championships in Commonwealth countries and promotes and develops sport throughout the Commonwealth. The next Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow in Scotland in 2014 and the Gold Coast, Australia, in 2018. The next Commonwealth Youth Games will be in Samoa in 2015 followed by St Lucia in 2017.
The CGF is represented on CABOS (Commonwealth Advisory Body on Sport), and provides direction and advice to governments across the Commonwealth on how sport can be used as a means of social and educational development.
