Commonwealth Games

The Commonwealth Games is a quadrennial international multi-sport event that brings together athletes from across the Commonwealth of Nations, a political association comprising the majority of former territories of the British Empire. First held as the British Empire Games in 1930, the event has evolved through several name changes, reflecting the changing geopolitical landscape and gradual decolonisation of the Empire. It was known as the British Empire Games until 1950, the British Empire and Commonwealth Games until 1966, and the British Commonwealth Games until 1974. Since the 1978 edition, the event has been officially known as the Commonwealth Games, a name that reflects its modern identity while maintaining its historic connection to Britain. The games are also referred to as the Friendly Games. The Games, one of the oldest multi-sports events outside of the modern Olympic Games, directly inspired similar events such as Jeux de la Francophonie and the Lusofonia Games for former French and Portuguese territories respectively.