1950 British Empire Games

Last updated

IV British Empire Games
1950 New Zealand.jpg
Host city Auckland, New Zealand
Nations12
Athletes590
Events87
Opening4 February 1950
Closing11 February 1950
Opened by Bernard Freyberg
Athlete's Oath Stan Lay
Main venue Eden Park
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The 1950 British Empire Games were the fourth staging of what is now called the Commonwealth Games. It was held in Auckland, New Zealand, between 4 and 11 February 1950, after a 12-year gap from the third edition of the games due to World War II. The fourth games were originally awarded to Montreal, Canada and were to be held in 1942 but were cancelled due to the War. [1]

Contents

The Games were declared open by Sir Bernard Freyberg. The opening ceremony was held at Eden Park and was sold out with 40,000 people attending. [2] Eden Park also served as the main venue, while the closing ceremonies were held at Western Springs Stadium. Other venues included the Auckland Town Hall and the Newmarket Olympic Pool. [3]

Total attendances were 246,694; higher than the following three Games, 1954 (159,636), 1958 (178,621) and 1962 (224,987). [4]

A 1950 British Empire Games documentary film of the games was made by the New Zealand National Film Unit. [5]

Participating teams

Countries that participated Empire games 1950 countries map.PNG
Countries that participated

Medal table

At the 1950 British Empire Games all the teams won at least one medal.

  *   Host nation (New Zealand)

Medals won by nation, ranked by number of golds—sortable
RankNationGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia  (AUS)34271980
2Flag of England.svg  England  (ENG)19161348
3Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand  (NZL)*10222153
4Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Canada  (CAN)891330
5Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg  South Africa  (SAF)84820
6Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland  (SCO)53210
7 Flag of Malaya (1896-1950).svg Malaya (MAL)2114
8Flag of Fiji (1924-1970).svg  Fiji  (FIJ)1225
9Flag of Ceylon (1948-1951).svg  Ceylon  (CEY)1214
10Flag of Nigeria (1914-1952).svg  Nigeria  (NGR)0101
Flag of Southern Rhodesia (1924-1964).svg  Southern Rhodesia  (SRH)0101
Flag of Wales (1807-1953).svg  Wales  (WAL)0101
Totals (12 entries)888980257

Sports

Venues

References

  1. "Auckland 1950". Commonwealth Games Federation. Archived from the original on 7 April 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  2. "Empire Games Prospoects" . Birmingham Daily Post. 4 February 1950. Retrieved 11 September 2025 via British Newspaper Archive.
  3. "The Fourth British Empire Games" . Ireland's Saturday Night. 9 July 1949. Retrieved 12 September 2025 via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. Dheensaw page 35-41
  5. Martin, Helen; Edwards, Sam (1997). "New Zealand film, 1912-1996". Trove . Auckland; Melbourne; Oxford :Oxford University Press . Retrieved 13 January 2023.

Further reading

Preceded by
Sydney
British Empire Games
Auckland
IV British Empire Games
Succeeded by
Vancouver