Overview & History
The Commonwealth Games is the only occasion where Scotland gets to compete in a multi-sport event as a nation in its own right. As is consistently demonstrated by research surveys, participation in the Commonwealth Games is highly valued by the people of Scotland. Scotland has a strong track record in Commonwealth sport and is highly committed to its future development.
Scotland is one of only six countries to have competed in every Commonwealth Games since their inception in Hamilton in 1930. Scotland was represented by 15 athletes participating in six sports and we won medals at that and every Games since.
Since 1930, the Games have been held every four years (except for 1942 and 1946 due to World War II) and the event has seen many changes, not least in its name. From 1930 to 1950 the Games were known as the British Empire Games, from 1954 until 1966 the British Empire and Commonwealth Games and from 1970 to 1974 they took on the title of British Commonwealth Games. It was the 1978 Games in Edmonton that saw this unique, world class, multi-sport event change its name to the Commonwealth Games. The event has always had a special place in the hearts of the Scottish nation, witnessed so clearly at the Edinburgh Games in 1970 where the welcome given by the Scottish people first gave rise to the description of 'the Friendly Games'.
Up until 1998, only individual sports were included on the programme. However the 1998 Games in Kuala Lumpur saw the introduction of team sports, with nations taking part in Cricket (50 over game), Hockey (men and women), Netball (women) and Rugby 7s (men). Hockey, Netball and Rugby 7s are now core sports on the programme.
The 2002 Games in Manchester saw for the first time at any multi-sport event in the world, a limited number of full medal events for elite athletes with a disability (EAD) in a fully inclusive sports programme. This has continued ever since.
Melbourne 2006 saw basketball make its Games debut, whilst Tennis and women’s Wrestling were introduced in Delhi 2010.
Edinburgh became the first city to hold the Games twice in 1970 and 1986 and also became the first city to host the Commonwealth Youth Games. In 2000, CGS established the 'Millennium' Commonwealth Youth Games with the backing of the CGF and it is now held every four years.
Scotland will host the Games for a third time when Glasgow welcomes athletes and officials to the XXth Commonwealth Games which will be held from 23rd July - 3rd August 2014.