The First British Empire Games Open

Setting the scene

Within the British Empire, athletes competed in Empire meets, but there was no multi-sport festival on the scale of the Olympics dedicated to nations tied by colonial history and shared institutions.

What happened

The first British Empire Games were held in Hamilton, Ontario, in 1930, with eleven countries sending athletes; the event later rebranded as the Commonwealth Games.

Why it still matters

The Games gave smaller nations a global stage and preserved sporting ties as the Empire evolved into the Commonwealth of Nations. Memorable detail: women could compete only in swimming events at that inaugural meet.

Background

The event later became the Commonwealth Games.