Commonwealth Games: some history

The 18th Commonwealth Games are going on in Mebourne, Australia currently. Here are some facts and figures about the Commonwealth Games from rediff:

• The first Commonwealth Games took place in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in 1930.

• The Games have been conducted every four years except for 1942 and 1946, when World War II intervened.

• From 1930 to 1950 the Games were known as the British Empire Games.

• Then the British Empire and Commonwealth Games until 1962.

• From 1966 to 1974 they took on the title of British Commonwealth Games.

• From 1978 onwards they have been known as simply the Commonwealth Games.

• The Commonwealth Games was long known as the “Friendly Games”.

• The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) allowed Kuala Lumpur in 1998 to include team sports for the first time.

• The 19th edition of the Commonwealth Games will be held in India in 2010.