If you are a sports enthusiast or a fan of international sporting events, you have probably heard of the Commonwealth Games. The Commonwealth Games is a multi-sport event that brings together athletes from various countries that are members of the Commonwealth of Nations. The games are held every four years, and the participating countries take turns hosting the event. The first Commonwealth Games was held in 1930, and it has since grown to become a significant sporting event that attracts athletes and spectators from all over the world.
What Sports Are in the Commonwealth Games?
The Commonwealth Games features a wide range of sports that cater to different interests and abilities. The number of sports included in the games has varied over the years, with some sports being dropped or added depending on the host country's preferences and capabilities. The most recent Commonwealth Games, held in Gold Coast, Australia, featured 18 sports, with 7 para-sports events included. Here is a list of the sports that are commonly featured in the Commonwealth Games:
Aquatics
Aquatics events in the Commonwealth Games include swimming, diving, and synchronized swimming. These events are usually held in a swimming pool, and athletes compete in various distances and styles. The Commonwealth Games also features para-swimming events for athletes with disabilities.
Athletics
Athletics is one of the most popular sports in the Commonwealth Games, and it includes track and field events such as running, jumping, and throwing. The events are usually held in a stadium, and athletes from different countries compete against each other to win medals.
Badminton
Badminton is a racquet sport that is played indoors, and it is one of the most popular sports in the Commonwealth Games. Athletes from various countries compete against each other in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events to win medals.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport that involves shooting a ball through a hoop that is mounted on a backboard. The Commonwealth Games features a men's and women's basketball event, with athletes from various countries competing against each other to win medals.
Boxing
Boxing is a combat sport that involves two athletes wearing gloves and punching each other in a boxing ring. The Commonwealth Games features boxing events for men and women, with athletes from different countries competing against each other to win medals.
Cycling
Cycling is a sport that involves riding a bicycle, and it includes various events such as road cycling, track cycling, and mountain biking. The Commonwealth Games features cycling events for men and women, with athletes from different countries competing against each other to win medals.
Gymnastics
Gymnastics is a sport that involves performing acrobatic and artistic movements on various apparatus such as the balance beam, the vault, and the rings. The Commonwealth Games features gymnastics events for men and women, with athletes from different countries competing against each other to win medals.
Hockey
Hockey is a team sport that involves scoring goals by hitting a ball with a stick. The Commonwealth Games features men's and women's hockey events, with athletes from different countries competing against each other to win medals.
Judo
Judo is a martial art that involves throwing, grappling, and submission techniques. The Commonwealth Games features judo events for men and women, with athletes from different countries competing against each other to win medals.
Lawn Bowls
Lawn bowls is a sport that involves rolling biased balls so that they stop close to a smaller ball called the jack. The Commonwealth Games features lawn bowls events for men and women, with athletes from different countries competing against each other to win medals.
Netball
Netball is a team sport that involves passing a ball between players and scoring goals by shooting the ball through a hoop. The Commonwealth Games features a women's netball event, with athletes from different countries competing against each other to win medals.
Rugby Sevens
Rugby sevens is a variant of rugby union that involves two teams of seven players each. The Commonwealth Games features a men's and women's rugby sevens event, with athletes from different countries competing against each other to win medals.
Shooting
Shooting is a sport that involves using firearms to hit targets. The Commonwealth Games features shooting events for men and women, with athletes from different countries competing against each other to win medals.
Squash
Squash is a racquet sport that is played in a four-walled court. The Commonwealth Games features squash events for men and women, with athletes from different countries competing against each other to win medals.
Table Tennis
Table tennis is a sport that involves hitting a small ball back and forth across a table using paddles. The Commonwealth Games features table tennis events for men and women, with athletes from different countries competing against each other to win medals.
Triathlon
Triathlon is a sport that involves swimming, cycling, and running in succession. The Commonwealth Games features triathlon events for men and women, with athletes from different countries competing against each other to win medals.
Weightlifting
Weightlifting is a sport that involves lifting weights in various categories. The Commonwealth Games features weightlifting events for men and women, with athletes from different countries competing against each other to win medals.
Wrestling
Wrestling is a combat sport that involves grappling and throwing techniques. The Commonwealth Games features wrestling events for men and women, with athletes from different countries competing against each other to win medals.
Conclusion
The Commonwealth Games is a significant sporting event that features a wide range of sports that cater to different interests and abilities. The number of sports included in the games has varied over the years, but the most recent Commonwealth Games featured 18 sports, with 7 para-sports events included. Athletes from various countries compete against each other to win medals, making the Commonwealth Games a truly international event.