Belize is a Caribbean country on the northeastern coast of Central America. It borders Mexico to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and Guatemala to the west and south. It has an area of 22,970 square kilometres (8,867 sq mi) and a population of 419,199 (2020). Its mainland is about 290 km (180 mi) long and 110 km (68 mi) wide. It has the lowest population and population density in Central America. Its population growth rate of 1.87% per year is the second-highest in the region and one of the highest in the Western Hemisphere. Its capital is Belmopan, and its largest city is Belize City.
The Commonwealth Games, often referred to as the Friendly Games, is an international multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930, and, with the exception of 1942 and 1946, has taken place every four years since then. The Commonwealth Games were known as the British Empire Games from 1930 to 1950, the British Empire and Commonwealth Games from 1954 to 1966, and British Commonwealth Games from 1970 to 1974. Athletes with a disability are included as full members of their national teams, making the Commonwealth Games the first fully inclusive international multi-sport event. In 2018, the Games became the first global multi-sport event to feature an equal number of men's and women's medal events.
Belize sent a delegation to compete at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, from 13–29 August 2004. This was the Central American country's ninth appearance at a Summer Olympic Games. The delegation consisted of two track and field athletes: Michael Aguilar and Emma Wade; neither advanced beyond the first round of their events.
The Commonwealth Caribbean is the region of the Caribbean with English-speaking countries and territories, which once constituted the Caribbean portion of the British Empire and are now part of the Commonwealth of Nations. The term includes many independent island nations, British Overseas Territories and some mainland nations. It is also known as the English-speaking Caribbean,Anglophone Caribbean or Anglo-Caribbean. The term is now used in preference over the older term British West Indies, which was used to describe the British colonies in the West Indies during decolonisation and following independence from the United Kingdom. Anglo-Caribbean and British Commonwealth Caribbean also became preferred replacement terms to British West Indies.
Canada has participated in every Commonwealth Games since the first ever British Empire Games held in Hamilton, Ontario in 1930, one of only six countries to have done so. The others are Australia, England, New Zealand, Scotland, and Wales.
British Honduras sent a delegation to compete at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany from 26 August to 11 September 1972. This was the then British territory's second appearance at a Summer Olympic Games. The delegation consisted of one sport shooter, Owen Phillips, who participated in two events. He came 59th in the 50 meter pistol and 101st in the 50 meter rifle prone.
The monarchy of Belize is a system of government in which a hereditary monarch is the sovereign and head of state of Belize. The current Belizean monarch and head of state, since the independence of Belize on 21 September 1981, is Queen Elizabeth II. As sovereign, she is the personal embodiment of the Belizean Crown. Although the person of the sovereign is shared with 14 other independent countries within the Commonwealth of Nations, each country's monarchy is separate and legally distinct. As a result, the current monarch is officially titled Queen of Belize and, in this capacity, she and other members of the Royal Family undertake public and private functions as representatives of the Belizean state. However, the Queen is the only member of the Royal Family with any constitutional role.
Belize first participated at the Olympic Games in 1968 and has sent athletes to compete in every Summer Olympic Games since then, except when they participated in the American-led boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics. The nation has never participated in the Winter Olympic Games. From 1968 to 1972, Belize was known by its colonial name of British Honduras.
Belize competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics, held in Beijing, People's Republic of China from 8 to 24 August 2008. Its participation in Beijing marked its eighth Olympic appearance under the name "Belize" and its tenth overall, as its first two appearances were under the name "British Honduras". The Belizean delegation in 2008 included four athletes: three participated in track and field events and one in taekwondo. Belize did not medal in Beijing, and had not medaled before Beijing, but Jonathan Williams became the first Belizean athlete to advance past the first round of any Olympic event.
The 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games was the sixth edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games which started in 2000. The games were held from 19 to 23 July 2017 64 nations participated at the games. The Bahamas 2017 was the largest international sporting event ever to be hosted in The Bahamas, and the largest-ever edition of the Youth Games, with up to 1300 athletes. During the opening ceremony the Prime Minister of the Bahamas Hubert Minnis declared the games officially open. It was the first the time that the tournament was opened by a prime minister instead of a monarch or a president.
Belize competed in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland from July 23 to August 3, 2014. A team of 12 athletes competed in 5 sports. They were accompanied by 6 officials.
Belize competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 5 to 21 August 2016. It was the nation's twelfth appearance at the Olympic Games, although it had previously appeared in two early editions under the name "British Honduras". Belize joined the United States-led boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics hosted in Moscow, Russia. The delegation included two track and field athletes: Brandon Jones and Katy Sealy, as well as judoka Renick James. All three athletes made their Olympic debut. Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association appointed 200 metres sprinter Brandon Jones to carry the nation's flag in the opening ceremony. Belize, however, has yet to win its first Olympic medal.
The Jamaica national rugby sevens team participates in several international competitions. As champions of the 2017 RAN Sevens, they are the first ever Caribbean side to qualify for the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens and also participated in the 2018 Commonwealth Games. They have previously featured in Hong Kong Sevens World Series qualifying tournaments of 2013, 2017 and 2018.
Belize competed at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast, Australia from April 4 to April 15, 2018. It was Belize's 10th appearance at the Commonwealth Games.
Triathlon at the 2018 Commonwealth Games was held in the Southport Broadwater Parklands, Gold Coast from April 5 to 7. A total of five events took place, two each for men and women and a mixed relay event. For the first time ever, para-triathlon events were contested at the Commonwealth Games.
Belize–United Kingdom relations are foreign relations between Belize and the United Kingdom. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title Queen of Belize. Both nations are members of the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations.
Belize competed at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics, in Buenos Aires, Argentina from October 6th to 18th.
Belize will compete at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England between 28 July and 8 August 2022. The team will participate in the Games for the eleventh time.
