Commonwealth Games every four years since 1930
The concept of the Commonwealth Games was first discussed by the Commonwealth nations in 1900. Thirty years later, Bobby Robinson a major influence in Canadian athletics, finally launched the Games in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in 1930.

Eleven countries with 400 athletes in total participated in the first Commonwealth Games. The City of Hamilton provided $30,000 to help the participating nations cover travelling costs. Since then, the Games have been held every four years, except for 1942 and 1946 due to World War II.

The Commonwealth Games have been known by a number of different names in the past. From 1930 to 1950 the games were known as the ‘British Empire Games’, then the ‘British Empire and Commonwealth Games’ until 1962. From 1966 to 1974 they took on the title of ‘British Commonwealth Games’, this was simplified to the current name, ‘Commonwealth Games’ in 1978.