1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games

Last updated

V British Empire and Commonwealth Games
BECG1954 logo.jpg
Host city Vancouver, Canada
Nations24
Athletes662
Events91
Opening30 July 1954
Closing7 August 1954
Opened by Earl Alexander of Tunis
Closed by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Athlete's Oath Bill Parnell
Main venue Empire Stadium
  IV
VI  

The 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games were held in Vancouver, British Columbia, from 30 July to 7 August 1954. This was the fifth edition of the event that would eventually become known as the Commonwealth Games, the second post-war Games, the second Canadian Games after the inaugural event in Hamilton and the first event since the name change from British Empire Games took effect in 1952.

Contents

It was at these games that the "Miracle Mile" took place between Roger Bannister and John Landy at Empire Stadium. This was the first time these two (and at that time the only two) sub-four-minute mile runners appeared in the same race, and also the first time two runners broke four minutes in the same race. On the same afternoon, Jim Peters, the holder of the world best time for the marathon, entered the stadium 17 minutes ahead of his nearest rival, but collapsed on his final lap, and never completed the race.

The games were attended by 24 nations and 662 competitors. [1]

Venues

Participating teams

Countries that participated Commonwealth games 1954 countries map.PNG
Countries that participated

24 teams were represented at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games.

Medal table

Statue in Vancouver commemorating the "Miracle Mile" between Roger Bannister and John Landy Bannister and Landy.jpg
Statue in Vancouver commemorating the "Miracle Mile" between Roger Bannister and John Landy
Medals won by nation, ranked and sortable
RankNationGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1Flag of England.svg  England 23242067
2Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 20111748
3Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg  South Africa 1661335
4Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Canada *9201443
5Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 77519
6Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 62513
7Flag of Southern Rhodesia (1924-1964).svg  Southern Rhodesia 2215
8Flag of Trinidad and Tobago (1889-1958).svg  Trinidad and Tobago 2204
9Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland 2103
10Flag of Northern Rhodesia (1939-1964).svg  Northern Rhodesia 1438
11Flag of Nigeria (1914-1952).svg  Nigeria 1337
12Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan 1326
13Flag of Wales (1953-1959).svg  Wales 1157
14Flag of Jamaica (1906-1957).svg  Jamaica 1001
15Flag of Barbados (1870-1966).svg  Barbados 0101
Flag of Hong Kong (1959-1997).svg  Hong Kong 0101
Flag of the Uganda Protectorate.svg  Uganda 0101
18Flag of British Guiana (1955-1966).svg  Guiana 0011
Totals (18 entries)928989270

Medal winners

Athletics

Bowls

Boxing

EventGoldSilverBronze
Men's boxing medallists by weight division
Flyweight MenFlag of Scotland.svg  Dick Currie  (SCO)Flag of Northern Rhodesia (1939-1964).svg  Abe Bekker  (NRH)Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Warner Batchelor  (AUS)
Bantamweight MenFlag of Scotland.svg  John Smillie  (SCO)Flag of Southern Rhodesia (1924-1964).svg  Gordon Smith  (SRH)Flag of Nigeria (1914-1952).svg  Abubakar Idi Garuba  (NGR)
Featherweight MenFlag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg  Leonard Leisching  (SAF)Flag of Wales (1953-1959).svg  Malcolm Collins  (WAL)Flag of England.svg  Dave Charnley  (ENG)
Lightweight MenFlag of Southern Rhodesia (1924-1964).svg  Piet van Staden  (SRH)Flag of Scotland.svg  Frank McQuillan  (SCO)Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Brian Cahill  (AUS)
Light Welterweight MenCanadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Mickey Bergin  (CAN)Flag of Southern Rhodesia (1924-1964).svg  Aubrey Harris  (SRH)Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Des Duguid  (AUS)
Welterweight MenFlag of England.svg  Nicholas Gargano  (ENG)Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Rodney Litzow  (AUS)Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg  Hendrik van der Linde  (SAF)
Light Middleweight MenCanadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Wilf Greaves  (CAN)Flag of Northern Rhodesia (1939-1964).svg  Freddy Wright  (NRH)Flag of England.svg  Bruce Wells  (ENG)
Middleweight MenFlag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg  Johannes van der Kolff  (SAF)Flag of Northern Rhodesia (1939-1964).svg  Arthur Crawford  (NRH)Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Marcel Piau  (CAN)
Light Heavyweight MenFlag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg  Piet van Vuuren  (SAF)Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Tony Madigan  (AUS)Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Bill Misselbrook  (CAN)
Heavyweight MenFlag of England.svg  Brian Harper  (ENG)Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Gerry Buchanan  (CAN)Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg  George Jenkins  (SAF)

Cycling

Track

EventGoldSilverBronze
Men's track cycling medallists by event, with times
Time Trial MenFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Dick Ploog  (AUS)00:01:12Flag of England.svg  Keith Harrison  (ENG)00:01:13
Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg  Alfred Swift  (SAF)
Sprint MenFlag of England.svg  Cyril Peacock  (ENG)+not awardedFlag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg  Tom Shardelow  (SAF)
Individual Pursuit MenFlag of England.svg  Norman Sheil  (ENG)00:05:03Flag of England.svg  Peter Brotherton  (ENG)00:05:09Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg  Robert Fowler  (SAF)00:05:07
10 Miles Scratch MenFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Lindsay Cocks  (AUS)00:21:59Flag of England.svg  Keith Harrison  (ENG)Flag of Wales (1953-1959).svg  Don Skene  (WAL)

+ Lionel Cox did not receive a silver medal, the Australian cycling team refused to participate in the gold and bronze medal playoffs and were subsequently disqualified. [2]

Road

EventGoldSilverBronze
Men's road cycling medallists with times
Road Race MenFlag of England.svg  Eric Thompson  (ENG)02:44:08Flag of New Zealand.svg  John Baird  (NZL)NTTFlag of England.svg  Bernard Pusey  (ENG)NTT

Fencing

EventGoldSilverBronze
Fencing medallists by event
Foil MenFlag of England.svg  René Paul  (ENG)Flag of Australia (converted).svg  John Fethers  (AUS)Flag of England.svg  Allan Jay  (ENG)
Foil – Team MenFlag of England.svg England (ENG)
René Paul
Allan Jay
Ralph Cooperman
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia (AUS)
Ivan Lund
John Fethers
Rod Steel
Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg Canada (CAN)
Carl Schwende
J.A. Howard
Roland Asselin
Épée MenFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Ivan Lund  (AUS)Flag of England.svg  René Paul  (ENG)Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Carl Schwende  (CAN)
Épée – Team MenFlag of England.svg England (ENG)
René Paul
Allan Jay
Charles de Beaumont
Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg Canada (CAN)
Carl Schwende
Edward Brooke
Roland Asselin
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia (AUS)
Ivan Lund
John Fethers
Laurence Harding-Smith
Sabre MenFlag of England.svg  Mike Amberg  (ENG)Flag of England.svg  Ralph Cooperman  (ENG)Flag of Australia (converted).svg  John Fethers  (AUS)
Sabre- Team MenCanadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg Canada (CAN)
Carl Schwende
Leslie Krasa
Roland Asselin
Flag of England.svg England (ENG)
Michael Amberg
William Beatley
Ralph Cooperman
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia (AUS)
Ivan Lund
John Fethers
Rod Steel
Laurence Harding-Smith
Foil WomenFlag of England.svg  Mary Glen-Haig  (ENG)Flag of England.svg  Gillian Sheen  (ENG)Flag of Wales (1953-1959).svg  Aileen Harding  (WAL)

Rowing

EventGoldSilverBronze
Men's rowing medallists by event with times
Men's single scullsFlag of New Zealand.svg  Don Rowlands  (NZL)8:28Flag of England.svg  Sidney Rand  (ENG)8:43Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Bobby Williams  (CAN)8:51
Men's double scullsFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Mervyn Wood & Murray Riley  (AUS)7:55Flag of New Zealand.svg  Bob Parker & Reg Douglas  (NZL)8:05Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Donald Guest & Lawrence Stephan  (CAN)8:29
Men's coxless pairFlag of New Zealand.svg  Bob Parker & Reg Douglas  (NZL)8:24Flag of England.svg  Tom Christie & Nicholas Clack  (ENG)8:24Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Dave Anderson & Geoff Williamson  (AUS)8:30
Men's coxed fourFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Lionel Robberds, Dave Anderson, Peter Evatt, Geoff Williamson & Mervyn Wood  (AUS)7:58Flag of New Zealand.svg  Bruce Culpan, Kerry Ashby, Murray Ashby, Bill Tinnock & Stanley Callagher  (NZL)8:04Flag of England.svg  Geoffrey Page, John Macmillan, Alastair Davidson, Maurice Legg & David Glynne-Jones  (ENG)8:05
Men's eightCanadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Douglas McDonald, Glen Smith, H.J. Zloklikovits, K.J. Drummond, Lawrence West, Ray Sierpina, Robert Wilson, Thomas Toynbee & Thomas Harris  (CAN)6:59Flag of England.svg  Alastair Davidson, Alan Watson, David Glynne-Jones, Geoffrey Page, John Pope, Joe Eldeen, M.G.C. Savage, Maurice Legg & John Macmillan  (ENG)7:11

Swimming

Men's events

EventGoldSilverBronze
Men's swimming medallists by event, with times
110 yd freestyleFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Jon Henricks  (AUS)56.5Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Cyrus Weld  (AUS)58.5Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Rex Aubrey  (AUS)58.7
440 yd freestyleFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Gary Chapman  (AUS)4:39.8Flag of Scotland.svg  Jack Wardrop  (SCO)4:41.5Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg  Graham Johnston  (SAF)4:43.3
1650 yd freestyleFlag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg  Graham Johnston  (SAF)19:01.4Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg  Peter Duncan  (SAF)19:22.1Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Gary Chapman  (AUS)19:28.4
110 yd backstrokeFlag of Wales (1953-1959).svg  John Brockway  (WAL)1:06.5Flag of New Zealand.svg  Lincoln Hurring  (NZL)1:06.9Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Cyrus Weld  (AUS)1:08.6
220 yd breaststrokeFlag of New Zealand.svg  Jack Doms  (NZL)2:52.6Flag of England.svg  Peter Jervis  (ENG)2:52.6Flag of England.svg  Alan Hime  (ENG)2:52.8
4×220 yd freestyle relayFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
David Hawkins
Gary Chapman
Jon Henricks
Rex Aubrey
8:47.6Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg Canada
Allen Gilchrist
George Park
Gerald McNamee
Ted Simpson
8:56.0Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg South Africa
Dennis Ford
Graham Johnston
Peter Duncan
Billy Steuart
8:56.3
3×110 yd medley relayFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Cyrus Weld
David Hawkins
Jon Henricks
3:22.0Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand
Frederick Lucas
Jack Doms
Lincoln Hurring
3:26.6Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland
Jack Wardrop
John Service
Robert Wardrop
3:27.3

Women's events

EventGoldSilverBronze
Women's swimming medallists by event, with times
110 yd freestyleFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Lorraine Crapp  (AUS)1:05.8Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Virginia Grant  (CAN)1:06.3Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg  Joan Harrison  (SAF)1:08.2
440 yd freestyleFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Lorraine Crapp  (AUS)5:11.4Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Gladys Priestley  (CAN)5:19.6Flag of Scotland.svg  Margaret Girvan  (SCO)5:21.4
110 yd backstrokeFlag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg  Joan Harrison  (SAF)1:15.2Flag of England.svg  Pat Symons  (ENG)1:17.4Flag of New Zealand.svg  Jean Stewart  (NZL)1:17.5
220 yd breaststrokeFlag of Scotland.svg  Elenor Gordon  (SCO)2:59.2Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg  Mary Morgan  (SAF)3:03.3Flag of England.svg  Margaret Grundy  (ENG)3:04.5
4×110 yd freestyle relayFlag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg South Africa
Felicity Loveday
Joan Harrison
Machduldt Petzer
Natalie Myburgh
4:33.9Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg Canada
Beth Whittall
Gladys Priestley
Helen Stewart
Virginia Grant
4:37.0Flag of England.svg  England
Daphne Wilkinson
Fearne Ewart
Jean Botham
Valerie Nares-Pillow
4:41.8
3×110 yd medley relayFlag of Scotland.svg  Scotland
Helen Gordon
Margaret McDowell
Margaret Girvan
3:51.0Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg South Africa
Joan Harrison
Machduldt Petzer
Mary Morgan
3:52.7Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Jann Grier
Judith Knight
Lorraine Crapp
3:55.6

Diving

EventGoldSilverBronze
Medallists in diving, by event, with points score
3 Metres Springboard Diving MenFlag of Scotland.svg  Peter Heatly  (SCO)146.76Flag of England.svg  Tony Turner  (ENG)145.27Flag of New Zealand.svg  Jack Stewart  (NZL)144.98
10 Metres Highboard [Platform] Diving MenCanadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Bill Patrick  (CAN)142.7Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Kevin Newell  (AUS)142.06Flag of Scotland.svg  Peter Heatly  (SCO)141.32
3 Metres Springboard Diving WomenFlag of England.svg  Ann Long  (ENG)128.26Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Barbara McAulay  (AUS)127.74Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Irene MacDonald  (CAN)126.19
10 Metres Highboard [Platform] Diving WomenFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Barbara McAulay  (AUS)86.55Flag of England.svg  Eunice Miller  (ENG)79.86Flag of England.svg  Ann Long  (ENG)79.53

Weightlifting

EventGoldSilverBronze
Men's overall weightlifting medallists by division, with weights
BantamweightFlag of England.svg  Maurice Megennis  (ENG)281Flag of England.svg  Frank Cope  (ENG)276.5Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Keith Caple  (AUS)274
FeatherweightFlag of Trinidad and Tobago (1889-1958).svg  Rodney Wilkes  (TRI)313Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Jules Sylvain  (CAN)297Flag of Wales (1953-1959).svg  Ron Jenkins  (WAL)279
LightweightFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Vern Barberis  (AUS)347Flag of Barbados (1870-1966).svg  George Nicholls  (BAR)344.5Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg  Jan Pieterse  (SAF)333
MiddleweightFlag of England.svg  Jim Halliday  (ENG)362.5Flag of Trinidad and Tobago (1889-1958).svg  Lionel de Freitas  (TRI)342Flag of British Guiana (1955-1966).svg  Julius Park  (BGU)338
Light HeavyweightCanadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Gerry Gratton  (CAN)403.5Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg  Louis Greeff  (SAF)367Flag of New Zealand.svg  Tony George  (NZL)353.5
Middle HeavyweightCanadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Keevil Daly  (CAN)399Flag of Trinidad and Tobago (1889-1958).svg  Lennox Kilgour  (TRI)392Flag of England.svg  Joseph Barnett  (ENG)376.5
HeavyweightCanadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Doug Hepburn  (CAN)471.5Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Dave Baillie  (CAN)453.5Flag of New Zealand.svg  Harold Cleghorn  (NZL)421.5

Freestyle wrestling

EventGoldSilverBronze
Wrestling medallists by division
Flyweight MenFlag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg  Louis Baise  (SAF)Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Fred Flannery  (AUS)Flag of Pakistan.svg  Din Mohammad  (PAK)
Bantamweight MenFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Geoff Jameson  (AUS)Flag of Pakistan.svg  Muhammad Amin  (PAK)Flag of Northern Rhodesia (1939-1964).svg  Ian Epton  (NRH)
Featherweight MenFlag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg  Abraham Geldenhuys  (SAF)Flag of England.svg  Herbie Hall  (ENG)Flag of New Zealand.svg  John Armitt  (NZL)
Lightweight MenFlag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg  Godfrey Pienaar  (SAF)Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Ruby Leobovitch  (CAN)Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Dick Garrard  (AUS)
Welterweight MenFlag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg  Nick Loubser  (SAF)Flag of Pakistan.svg  Abdul Rashid  (PAK)Flag of England.svg  Ray Myland  (ENG)
Middleweight MenFlag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg  Hermanus van Zyl  (SAF)Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Jim Christie  (CAN)Flag of England.svg  Harry Kendall  (ENG)
Light Heavyweight MenFlag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg  Jacob Theron  (SAF)Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Bob Steckle  (CAN)Flag of Northern Rhodesia (1939-1964).svg  Dan van Staden  (NRH)
Heavyweight MenFlag of England.svg  Ken Richmond  (ENG)Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg  Keith Maltman  (CAN)

References

  1. "Commonwealth Games Federation – 1954 Commonwealth Games – Introduction". thecgf.com. Archived from the original on 15 June 2017. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  2. "AUSSIES BOYCOTT GAMES CYCLING Thu 5 Aug 1954 Page 1". Daily Advertiser (Wagga Wagga, NSW). 1954.
Preceded by
Auckland
British Empire and Commonwealth Games
Vancouver
V British Empire and Commonwealth Games
Succeeded by
Cardiff