The first such event, then known as the British Empire Games, was held in 1930 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The name changed to British Empire and Commonwealth Games in 1954, to British Commonwealth Games in 1970 and assumed the current name of the Commonwealth Games in 1978.
As well as many Olympic sports, the Games also include some sports that are played mainly in Commonwealth countries, such as lawn bowls, rugby sevens and netball.
There are currently 54 members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Only six teams have attended every Commonwealth Games: Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, Scotland and Wales. Australia has been the highest scoring team for ten games, England for seven and Canada for one.
Last game was held in 2006 at Melbourne, Australia. The next edition will be held in 2010 in Delhi, India. In 2014 the Games will be held in Glasgow, Scotland.
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of Indian sports minister Suresh Kalmadi, "The colour, costumes, the
traditions and heritage will be world class, the public will be
welcoming and friendly and the flair of India is what will make the
next Games really unique."