Bendigo 2004

The second Commonwealth Youth Games were awarded to Bendigo in 2002 following a formal submission process.

Bendigo is located in the geographic heart of the southern Australian State of Victoria, 150km north west of the state capital, Melbourne. The City of Greater Bendigo boasts excellent sporting facilities and has a long tradition of hosting and supporting sporting events.

The Youth Games were held 30 November – 4 December 2004.

Sports included on the programme were:

  • Aquatics (swimming)
  • Athletics
  • Badminton
  • Boxing
  • Cycling (track, road and mountain bike)
  • Gymnastics
  • Lawn Bowls
  • Rugby 7s
  • Ten Pin Bowling
  • Weightlifting

Scotland sent a team of 69 athletes to compete in nine of the 10 sports on the programme. They won a total of 52 medals including 12 gold to finish fourth on the medal table behind Australia, England and South Africa.

Of the 52 medals, swimming took top honors winning an impressive total of 30 with each of the 14 swimmers winning at least one medal. This was despite many of the swimmers competing for the first time in an outdoor pool with cold, windy weather making the conditions far from perfect.

Taking top honours as Athlete of the Games was javelin thrower James Campbell, who won gold with a throw of 67.21m setting a new personal best by over 5m and smashing the Scottish Age Group (under 20) record in the process, which has stood since before he was born.

The two runners-up were gymnast Adam Cox and weightlifter Peter Kirkbride. Adam won an impressive five medals - two gold and three bronze, with a gold on the high bar and in the all round individual competition. Peter took gold in the 85kg class, setting a new personal best and Scottish record of 120kg in the snatch.

Steve Paulding, Team Manager for the Youth Games said: “This has been a hugely successful Games for the Scottish Team and the athletes should be commended on their achievements, in particular the medallists who brought back a magnificent 52 medals. It was great opportunity for these young people to gain experience competing at a large international event and it will undoubtedly stand them in good stead for the future.”