Athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations compete in the international multisport Commonwealth Games. The inaugural event was held in 1930, and since then it has taken place every four years. After the Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games are the biggest multisport event in the world.
From August 16 to 23, 1930, Hamilton, Canada, in the Canadian province of Ontario, hosted the first Commonwealth Games, which were inaugurated by Lord Willingdon. The British Empire Games and the Commonwealth of Nations Games were the two previous names for the competition. The Commonwealth Games became the official name in 1978.
The host country for the first Commonwealth Games was Canada. The event was originally scheduled to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa but was moved to Hamilton due to the outbreak of World War II.
The first host country of the Commonwealth Games was Canada. The event was originally known as the British Empire Games and the Commonwealth of Nations Games. The name was changed to the Commonwealth Games in 1978. The first host city of the Commonwealth Games was Hamilton.
Since 1930, the Games have been held in a total of 19 cities in nine different countries. England has hosted the Games on most occasions, a total of seven times, most recently in 2002. Australia has hosted the Games four times, most recently in 2006. Canada has hosted the Games three times, most recently in 1994.