Commonwealth Games 2018 on the Gold Coast: History of the Games

With just over a week left until the Commonwealth Games begins, Sporting News Australia takes a look back at the history of the event and delves into what makes it so special.

The world's best athletes will begin competing on the Gold Coast on April 4, with Australia hoping to once again dominate the event after falling behind England at the 2014 Games.

Four years ago in Glasgow, Scotland, Australia finished second on the medal tally behind their British counterparts after particularly disappointing campaigns in gymnastics, diving, judo and lawn bowls.

Australia finished with 49 gold, 42 silver and 46 bronze medals, far less than England's 59, 58 and 57 medals respectively.

MORE: Commonwealth Games 2018: Tickets, dates and how to watch Australia compete on the Gold Coast

Read on below for a history of the Commonwealth Games.

WHEN AND WHERE WAS THE FIRST COMMONWEALTH GAMES HELD?

The first Commonwealth Games, then known as the British Empire Games, was held in Hamilton, Canada in 1930.

Back then, only 11 countries participated in the Games and just 400 athletes were sent to Canada to compete in six sports and 59 events.

Compare that to the 2018 Games on the Gold Coast where a total of 70 countries are expected to compete in the 2018 Games, after the Maldives withdrew from the Commonwealth in October 2016.

There are a total of 18 sports scheduled in the 2018 Games, with 275 events. 

WHAT EXACTLY ARE THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES?

The Commonwealth Games is an international multi-sport event involving countries from the Commonwealth of Nations.

With the exception of 1942 and 1946 where World War II took place, the Games have taken place every four years since 1930.

Other names for the Commonwealth Games include British Empire Games (1930-1950), British Empire and Commonwealth Games (1954-1966), British Commonwealth Games (1970-1974).

The event was labelled the Commonwealth Games for the first time in 1978 in Edmonton, Canada.

WHO HAS HOSTED THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES?

Only nine nations have hosted the Commonwealth Games, and 18 cities have been used in total.

Australia, Canada, New Zealand, New Zealand, Scotland, England Jamaica, Malaysia and India have hosted the event.

Australia has hosted four Commonwealth Games (1938, 1962, 1982, 2006) and will host for the fifth time in 2018.

Canada has hosted four Commonwealth Games (1930, 1954, 1978, 1994).

WHICH NATIONS HAVE COMPETED IN THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES?

Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, Scotland, and Wales are the only nations that have attended every Commonwealth Games.

Australia has been the highest achieving team for twelve games, England for seven, and Canada for one.

WHO ARE AUSTRALIA'S MOST SUCCESSFUL ATHLETES IN THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES?

Robert de Castella, Liz Ellis, Anna Meares, John Landy, Dean Lukin, Decima Norman, Susie O’Neill, Phillip Adams and Ian Thorpe are regarded as Australia's most successful athletes at the Commonwealth Games.

COMMONWEALTH GAMES ALL-TIME TOP 10 MEDAL TALLY

LIST OF ALL SPORTS THAT HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES