Glasgow, July 21: As the 2026 Commonwealth Games prepare to get underway in Glasgow, the multi-sport spectacle continues to stand apart from other global sporting events with its rich history, unique traditions and enduring emphasis on unity among nations.
First staged in 1930 in Hamilton, Canada, the event was originally known as the British Empire Games before undergoing several name changes over the decades. It officially became the Commonwealth Games in 1978 and has since grown into one of the world’s premier multi-sport competitions, featuring athletes from across the Commonwealth.
One of the Games’ defining features is the Queen’s Baton Relay, the Commonwealth equivalent of the Olympic Torch Relay. Carrying a message from the Head of the Commonwealth, the baton travels through every participating nation and territory over nearly 300 days before the message is read aloud during the Opening Ceremony.
Nicknamed the “Friendly Games,” the event is renowned for its spirit of camaraderie. Unlike many international competitions, athletes from all participating nations march together as one group during the closing ceremony, symbolising friendship and unity beyond sporting rivalry.
The Commonwealth Games have also earned recognition as pioneers of inclusivity. They became the first major global multi-sport event to fully integrate para-athletes into the main medal programme and were the first to offer an equal number of medal events for men and women.
Only six nations have maintained an unbroken record of participation since the inaugural edition in 1930. Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, Scotland and Wales have competed in every Commonwealth Games held to date.
The competition has also witnessed some of athletics’ most iconic moments. At the 1954 Vancouver Games, the legendary “Miracle Mile” saw Roger Bannister and John Landy become the first two athletes in history to run a mile in under four minutes in the same race, creating one of the sport’s most memorable contests. Unlike the Olympic Games, the Commonwealth programme includes sports with deep historical roots across member nations, such as lawn bowls and netball, alongside athletics, swimming, cycling and other traditional disciplines.
The Games have also showcased remarkable diversity in age. Welsh table tennis player Anna Hursey became one of the youngest competitors at just 11 years old during the 2018 edition, while Canadian shooter Robert Pitcairn competed at the age of 79, demonstrating that elite competition can span generations.
Australia remains the most successful nation in Commonwealth Games history, having amassed well over 2,000 medals across the competition’s 96-year history, underlining its long-standing dominance at the event.
As Glasgow prepares to host the 2026 edition, the Commonwealth Games continue to celebrate sporting excellence while preserving the traditions and values that have earned them the reputation as the world’s “Friendly Games.” (Agencies)
