1930 British Empire Games

Last updated
I British Empire Games
Logo 1930 and 1934 BEG.png
Host city Hamilton, Canada
Nations11
Athletes400
Events59
Opening16 August 1930
Closing23 August 1930
Opened by Lord Willingdon
Athlete's Oath Percy Williams [1]
Main venue Civic Stadium
II  

The 1930 British Empire Games was the inaugural edition of what now is known as the Commonwealth Games, and was held in Hamilton, Ontario, from 16 to 23 August 1930. [2] [3]

Contents

The event was organized by Hamilton Spectator sportswriter Bobby Robinson after he attended the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam as manager of the Canadian track and field team and was inspired to create a similar event for the British Empire. After campaigning for the idea among contacts he met at the Olympics, he was asked to organise the first British Empire Games in Hamilton. [4]

The sports included athletics, boxing, lawn bowls, rowing, swimming, and wrestling. Women competed only in aquatic events. The opening ceremony and many events were held at Civic Stadium (later renamed Ivor Wynne Stadium) in east Hamilton. [5]

The event was opened by the Governor General of Canada, Lord Willingdon, on 16 August. Canadian triple jumper Gordon Smallacombe would claim a few hours later the debut gold medal. [1]

The 1930 British Empire Games made use of pedestals for dignitaries to present medals to winning athlethes, as proposed by Bobby Robinson. This inspired the Olympic medal podium ceremonies which began at the 1932 Winter Olympics. [6] [7]

Sports

Participating teams

Participating countries Empire games 1930 countries map.PNG
Participating countries

There were 11 teams participating in these inaugural British Empire Games:

Medal table

RankNationGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1Flag of England.svg  England 25231361
2Flag of Canada (1921-1957).svg  Canada*20151954
3Flag of South Africa (1928-1994).svg  South Africa 64717
4Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 3429
5Flag of Australia.svg  Australia 3418
6Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 23510
7Flag of Wales 2.svg  Wales 0213
8Flag of British Guiana (1919-1955).svg  British Guiana 0112
9Green harp flag of Ireland.svg  Ireland 0101
Totals (9 entries)595749165

Venues

Notable venues include:

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The men's 4 × 440 yards relay event at the 1930 British Empire Games was held on 23 August at the Civic Stadium in Hamilton, Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern Ireland at the 1934 British Empire Games</span> Northern Ireland at the 1934 British Empire Games

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References

  1. 1 2 Jamie Bradburn (21 July 2015). "The British Empire Games of 1930". Torontoist.com. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
  2. "Hamilton 1930". Commonwealth Games Federation. Archived from the original on 2019-06-01. Retrieved 2019-12-22.
  3. ""Empire Games In Canada." Times, 4 Feb. 1930, p. 7". Times Digital Archives.
  4. "'Just give us' the Commonwealth Games in 2030, Canada plans to tell counterpart countries". NationalPost. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  5. "Tigertown Triumphs" (Press release). The Hamilton Spectator-Memory Project (Souvenir Edition) page MP56. 10 June 2006.
  6. Hemphill, Lex (January 22, 2002). "Olympic Torch Relay, Commercial to Begin With, Has Become More So, Historian Says". The Salt Lake Tribune . Salt Lake City, Utah. p. C4.
  7. Ogilvie, Claire (October 18, 2006). "Prof says Olympic podiums have Canadian connection". The Province . Vancouver, British Columbia. p. 25.
Preceded by
British Empire Games
Hamilton
I British Empire Games
Succeeded by
London