An Introduction to the Commonwealth Games – “The Friendly Games”

A Sport Article for Intermediate English Learners

Welcome to the third article in my series for intermediate English learners on the topic of sport. The first article was on golf, and in the second we read all about the FIFA World Cup. In this article we look at the Commonwealth Games, because the 23rd Commonwealth Games are now in progress in Glasgow, Scotland.

The Commonwealth Games is a multi-sport competition held every four years. It is similar to the Olympic Games, but only for nations in the British Commonwealth.

Firstly, I should explain the Commonwealth, also known as the Commonwealth of Nations. It is a group of 56 nations – most of them were once part of the British Empire. The aim of the Commonwealth is to build political, economic, educational and cultural ties between its member countries.

The Opening Ceremony of the Brisbane Commonwealth Games in 1982, featuring the Winking Kangaroo

The Opening Ceremony of the 1938 Games in Sydney when it was called the British Empire Games

The first Games were held in 1930 in Hamilton, Canada and were called the British Empire Games. In 1970 they were renamed the British Commonwealth Games, and from 1978 just the Commonwealth Games.

Many of the events held at the Commonwealth Games are similar to the Olympic Games, such as swimming and diving, athletics, cycling, gymnastics, table tennis and badminton, boxing, weightlifting and so on. The Commonwealth Games also include some sports that are not included in the Olympic Games, like netball, squash and lawn bowls.

A big difference between the Commonwealth and Olympic Games is that at the Commonwealth Games the para-sports are held at the same time as the able-bodied events. The Olympic Games holds them as a separate event, the Paralympics.

Another difference between the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics is that the Commonwealth Games allows some smaller territories to compete under their own flag, such as Gibraltar, Isle of Man and the Falkland Islands. And the Commonwealth Games also has separate teams for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, unlike the Olympic Games where they all compete as Great Britain.

Just like the Olympic Games, athletes and teams compete for gold, silver and bronze medals. And like the Olympics, a medal tally is kept, showing which nation has won the most medals. Australia has been by far the most successful nation at the Commonwealth Games. It has finished top of the medal tally at 14 of the 22 Commonwealth Games, including nine of the last ten Games.

Although winning medals is important, the Commonwealth Games also puts a lot of importance on friendship, good sportsmanship and shared cultural ties. This is why it’s also known as the Friendly Games.

The 2026 Glasgow Games

The Commonwealth Games began on 23 July, in the Scottish city of Glasgow, and will run for 10 days. Originally the Games were to be held in the state of Victoria, Australia. However, the Victorian Government felt the cost of hosting the Games was much higher than planned, so last year it decided to withdraw.

For a while it looked like the 2026 Games would be cancelled. Fortunately, the city of Glasgow stepped in and volunteered to run it.

Because Glasgow had less time to prepare for the Games, these Games will be smaller than recent Games. To save money, there will be fewer sports this time. In 2022 there were 20 sports but in 2026 there will only be 10. Some popular sports like diving, badminton and the triathlon have been dropped, as have several team events like cricket, hocky and rugby. It also means that there will be fewer athletes participating this time, around 3,000 athletes compared to 5,000 athletes who took part in the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The 15 Most Memorable Commonwealth Games Moments

1. "The Miracle Mile" (Vancouver, 1954)

This is one of the most famous races not only in Commonwealth Games history, but of all time. In May 1954, England's Roger Bannister became the first person to run the mile in less than 4 minutes. Then, only weeks later, Australia's John Landy ran even faster, setting a world record of 3:58. The 1954 Vancouver Games in August was their first race against each other since they setting those records. The two runners were neck-and-neck and well clear of the other runners as they entered the final turn. Landy was leading, and he glanced over his left shoulder to see where his opponent was. At that moment, Bannister moved up on Landy's right side and overtook him. He kept the lead and won by just one second. Both men finished under 4 minutes again.

2. Kerryn McCann’s Dramatic Marathon Win (Melbourne, 2006)

Kerryn McCann had won gold at the previous Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002. However, in 2006 she was thirty-eight and racing for the last time.

Roger Bannister (left) and John Landy battle it out in the 1954 Vancouver Games 1 Mile event

She took an early lead in the marathon and after 40 kilometres was well in front. But Kenya’s Hellen Cheronon quickly caught her. In the last two kilometres the lead changed six times. When they entered the stadium, the home crowd of 75,000 cheered McCann to victory.

Unfortunately, one year later McCann was diagnosed with breast cancer. The mother of three died in 2008, just two and a half years after one of the most memorable races in history.

3. Filbert Bayi v John Walker in world record 1,500m, Christchurch 1974

This race is considered one of the greatest in athletics history. Both Tanzania's Filbert Bayi and New Zealand's John Walker broke the 1,500 metres world record, and the top five finishers all broke the existing Commonwealth Games record.

It's also remembered for Bayi's bold tactics, which were unusual at the time. Bayi ran the first part of the race at a very fast pace, to quickly build a big lead. If he hoped this fast pace would demoralise his opponents, it didn't work. Instead, the runners behind him responded to the challenge and stayed with him. A young John Walker, New Zealand's greatest ever athlete, came closest to catching him. He got as close as two steps behind Bayi but was unable to pass him. At the end of the race, the two athletes hugged, celebrating an unforgettable race after both had broken the world record.

4. England’s Last-Second Netball Winner (Gold Coast 2018)

Until 2018, only two countries had ever won gold in netball at the Commonwealth Games – Australia and New Zealand. In fact, every Commonwealth Games netball final until then had been between these two countries. In 2018, the Australian team were expected to win again, especially as they were playing at home on the Gold Coast. Australia reached the final easily, winning their matches by big scores. Even in the semifinal against New Zealand, they won comfortably by 21 points. Their opponent in the final was England, who had fought their way through several close matches, including a 1-point win over Jamaica in the semifinal.

The final was close throughout, with never more than a couple of points between the teams. With the score tied at 51–51 and just seconds left on the clock, England's Helen Housby scored a penalty shot on the final whistle, after her first attempt had bounced off the rim. England won 52–51 to claim their first-ever major netball title, starting wild celebrations and providing one of the most emotional finishes in Commonwealth Games history.

5. De Castella's Brisbane Heat Miracle (Brisbane, 1982)

Robert De Castella was the clear favourite to win the Commonwealth Games marathon in 1982, after running the second-fastest marathon ever earlier that year in Japan. However, the race began badly for him, as two Tanzanian runners, Juma Ikangaa and Gidamis Shahanga, went out fast. After 20 kilometres, the Tanzanians were a minute ahead of De Castella. Even though it was early morning, Brisbane's summer heat and humidity were already high, and De Castella was battling stomach cramps. Still, he kept going, cheered on by the crowds lining the streets of Brisbane.

Slowly, De Castella caught the leaders. Shahanga was the first to struggle, and De Castella passed him after 38 kilometres. One kilometre later, De Castella passed Ikangaa too, and looked to have the race won. But Ikangaa refused to give up, and in the final two kilometres the lead changed between them four times. In the end, De Castella was too strong, pulling away from Ikangaa to win by 12 seconds.

6. Cathy Freeman’s Carries Two Flags in Victory Lap (Victoria, 1994)

In 1994, Cathy Freeman was a rising star in international athletics. When she won the 400 metres in a Commonwealth Games record time, she ran her victory lap carrying not just the Australian flag but the Aboriginal flag too, to celebrate her heritage. The head of Australia's Commonwealth Games team, controversial team official, Arthur Tunstall, was furious. He threatened that if she did it again, she would be sent home to Australia.

A few days later, Freeman raced in the 200 metres final. The favourite was Nigeria's Mary Onyali, who had already won the 100 metres. But Freeman ran the race of her life to win, beating Onyali by a tenth of a second and setting another Commonwealth Games record. After the race, on her victory lap, she again carried both the Australian and Aboriginal flags around the stadium.

Tunstall criticised her again, but had little support from the rest of the Australian team. The public backed Freeman too, and it became an important moment in the recognition of Indigenous Australians.

7.Jim Peters collapses in the marathon, Vancouver 1954

Another memorable marathon, but not as triumphant as the Brisbane and Melbourne ones. The marathon was held on the same day as the famous Miracle Mile (see above). England's Jim Peters was one of the favourites to win the marathon. He had set four marathon world records, but at the age of 35 was coming to the end of his career.

As was his usual tactic, he began very fast and continued the hot pace throughout the race. When he reached the stadium to complete the final few hundred metres, he was 17 minutes ahead of the next runner!

An exhausted Jim Peters stumbles and staggers near the end of the 1954 Vancouver Games marathon

Unfortunately for Peters, his fast pace finally caught up with him. Inside the stadium he staggered and fell, staggered and fell, six times in total. Once, he lay on the track for two minutes, trying to find the will to continue. With only 200 metres until the finish line he could go no further, and collapsed in the arms of a trainer, meaning he was disqualified from the race. Only six runners finished the marathon that year. The winner was from Scotland, Joe McGhee, although most people only remember Jim Peters.

8. Susie O’Neill winning six gold medals, Kuala Lumpur 1998

One of Australia's most successful swimmers, Susie O'Neill was nicknamed Madame Butterfly because of her dominance in the butterfly events, especially the 200 metres. But at the 1998 Games in Malaysia, she showed she wasn't just a one-event swimmer. She dominated the pool, winning six gold medals, four of them in freestyle events.

Those six gold medals set a record for most gold medals won at a single Commonwealth Games. She also set the record for most medals at a single Games (8 in total – 6 gold and 2 silver). Since then, Emma McKeon has equalled that record, while the record for most total medals has also been equalled by Emma Seebohm, Taylor Ruck and Emma McKeon.

9. India Women’s Hockey Gold: The Real-Life Chak De! (Manchester 2002)

Going into Manchester 2002, the Indian women's field hockey team wasn't expected to win a medal. The Indian team had a slow start, winning only one of their three group games. However, they went on a remarkable run, and reached the final against the host nation, England.

With the score tied at 2–2, India scored in extra time to win 3–2, and take an incredible gold medal. The fairytale victory was so popular in India that it directly inspired the famous 2007 Bollywood film Chak De! India.

Indian hockey players throw their captain in the air after winning gold at the 2002 Manchester Games

10. Paula Radcliffe Breaks Her Track Curse (Manchester 2002)

English long-distance runner Paula Radcliffe had a reputation for being very good but not quite great, as she was often beaten by African runners in the biggest races. One of her most heartbreaking losses was at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, where she led the 10,000 metres for 24 laps before being passed by three Ethiopian runners in the final lap.

Her reputation as a brave loser ended when she switched to the marathon. In her first marathon, the London Marathon in early 2002, she finally tasted victory. Then, at the Commonwealth Games, in front of her home crowd (she was born not far from Manchester), she won her first ever track gold medal. Radcliffe led almost from the start, building her lead throughout, and eventually beat Kenya's Edith Masai into second place by 23 seconds, setting a Commonwealth record.

This breakthrough win began the greatest period of Radcliffe's career. Over the next few years she won several major marathons, broke world records and became one of the greatest women's distance runners of all time. Sadly, injuries prevented her from winning an Olympic gold medal.

The Future of the Commonwealth Games

Many people are concerned about the future of the Commonwealth Games, despite their long history. Today, the Games face several serious challenges.

The biggest problem is finding cities that are willing to host the event. This has become especially clear over the past two Games. The 2022 Games were originally awarded to Durban, South Africa, but the city withdrew because of financial problems. Birmingham later agreed to host them instead.

A similar thing happened with the 2026 Games. Victoria was chosen as the host but withdrew two years before the event after costs rose far beyond the original budget. Other possible hosts, including Canada and Malaysia, also decided not to bid. Although Ahmedabad in India has agreed to host the 2030 Games, this is partly because the city hopes to strengthen its bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games.

The main reason cities are becoming reluctant to host the Commonwealth Games is the rising cost. Victoria withdrew after the estimated budget had almost doubled. Unlike the Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games attract smaller television audiences, fewer visitors and less sponsorship, making it much harder for host cities to recover their costs.

Some people believe the answer is to make the Games smaller, as Glasgow has done this year. Fewer sports mean lower costs. However, there is also a risk that removing popular sports such as rugby, cricket, diving and hockey could reduce public interest even further.

The Games are also losing some of their prestige among top athletes. Several world-class competitors have decided not to compete this year so they can focus on other major championships. These include Canadian superstar swimmer Summer McIntosh, Olympic 100-metre sprint champion Julien Alfred from Saint Lucia, Botswana's Letsile Tebogo, and England's Olympic 800-metre champion Keely Hodgkinson.

Despite these challenges, the Commonwealth Games still have many unique strengths. They give non-Olympic sports – like squash and netball – their own major tournament. And they give many athletes, especially from smaller nations, a chance to win medals and gain international recognition—opportunities they may never have at the Olympics or World Championships.

Whether the Commonwealth Games continue in their current form or become a smaller event in the future, they remain an important celebration of sport, friendship and the shared history of Commonwealth nations.

England (in red) against Australia in a Commonwealth Games netball match. The Commonwealth Games gives the spotlight to non-Olympic sports like netball, squash and lawn bowls.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Commonwealth Games?

The Commonwealth Games is a multi-sport competition held every four years for countries in the Commonwealth of Nations, most of which were once part of the British Empire. It includes Olympic sports like swimming and athletics, as well as sports not seen at the Olympics, such as netball and lawn bowls.

Why is it called the “Friendly Games”?

Alongside the competition for medals, the Commonwealth Games puts a strong emphasis on friendship, good sportsmanship and shared history between member nations, which is where the nickname comes from.

Is the Commonwealth Games in danger of disappearing?

Its future is genuinely uncertain. Finding cities willing to host has become difficult because of the rising costs, and some top athletes are now skipping the Games to focus on other events. However, it still offers real value – especially for smaller nations and non-Olympic sports like netball and squash – so it's more likely to keep evolving into a smaller event than to disappear altogether.

Which country has won the most medals at the Commonwealth Games?

Australia has been the most successful nation by far, finishing top of the medal tally at 14 of the 22 Commonwealth Games held so far, including nine of the last ten.

Useful Vocabulary

para-sports – sports for athletes with a physical or intellectual disability.
Example: "Para-sports are held at the same time as able-bodied events at the Commonwealth Games."

medal tally – a running total showing how many medals each country has won.
Example: “Australia is often at the top of the medal tally.”

withdraw – to pull out of something you had agreed to do, such as hosting an event.
Example: “Victoria decided to withdraw as host of the 2026 Games.”

to step in – to help with a problem by doing something, often at short notice, when someone else can't or won't.
Example: "When Victoria pulled out, Glasgow stepped in to host the Games."

neck-and-neck – very close together in a race or competition, with neither side clearly ahead.
Example: "The two runners were neck-and-neck coming into the final turn."

to overtake –to move past someone in front of you, so that you are now ahead of them.
Example: "Bannister overtook Landy in the final metres of the race."

diagnosed with – told by a doctor that you have a particular illness or medical condition.
Example: "She was diagnosed with breast cancer the following year."

tactics – the specific plan or method someone uses to try to win or succeed.
Example: "His tactic was to start the race very fast."

demoralise – to make someone lose confidence or motivation. Example: “His fast start was meant to demoralise the other runners.”

humidity – the amount of moisture (water) in the air, which can make hot weather feel heavier and more uncomfortable.
Example: "The humidity in Brisbane made the marathon even harder to run."

to battle stomach cramps – to keep going despite sudden, painful tightening of the stomach muscles.
Example: "He battled stomach cramps for the last 10 kilometres of the race."

the race of her life – the best performance someone has ever given in a race (can also be used for other events, e.g. "the game of his life").
Example: "She ran the race of her life to win by just a tenth of a second."

to back – to support someone or something, especially publicly.
Example: "The public backed Freeman, even though her boss criticised her."

to stagger – to walk or move unsteadily, as if you might fall.
Example: "Exhausted, he staggered the last 200 metres to the finish line."

collapsed – suddenly fell down, usually because of exhaustion, illness, or injury.
Example: "He collapsed in the arms of a trainer just before the finish line."

to dominate – to be much better than everyone else in a competition or activity.
Example: “She dominated the pool, winning six gold medals.” Noun: dominance

inspired – gave someone the idea or motivation to create or do something.
Example: "The team's victory inspired a famous Bollywood film."

breakthrough – an important success that comes after a period of difficulty or failure.
Example: “This breakthrough win was the start of years of success.”

reluctant – not wanting to do something; unwilling.
Example: "Cities are reluctant to host the Games because of the high costs."

sponsorship – financial support given to an event, team, or person by a company, usually in exchange for advertising.
Example: "The Games rely heavily on sponsorship to cover their costs."

prestige – the respect and admiration something receives because of its high status or reputation.
Example: "The Commonwealth Games are losing prestige among some top athletes."