The first Commonwealth Games were held in Canada in 1930. 400 athletes from 11 countries took part in the first Games.
Since then, the Games have taken place every four years except for 1942 and 1946, due to World War II. Sixteen Games have been held in total.
From 1930 to 1950 the Games were known as the British Empire Games, then the British Empire and Commonwealth Games until 1962.
Common language of English at the Games
From 1966 to 1974 they took on the title of British Commonwealth Games and from 1978 onwards they have been known as simply the Commonwealth Games.
The Commonwealth Games are the only Games which share a common language. All athletes and officials can converse with each other in English, creating an atmosphere that has led to the Commonwealth Games being long known as the "Friendly Games".
