India and the Commonwealth Games/Suresh Kumar Lau

The roots of the Commonwealth Games lie with their predecessor, the Empire Games. India participated for the first time in the Empire Games in London (1934), four years after the start of the Empire Games. India participation in the Olympic, from the 1920s; was an important watershed for the politics of colonialism.

India’s went to participate in the Olympic on equal provision with the British, at the time when colony was not even invited to the inaugural British Empire Games in Hamilton, Ontario (Canada) in 1930. Apart from Bermuda, British Guiana and Newfoundland, only the white settler dominions of South Africa, New Zealand and Australia were invited to the inaugural Empire Games. The first Games, staged in 1930 under shadow of great depression cost $ 30,000. The organizers provided the cash, $ 19,000 for the cost of athletes from the white setter dominions. India have a fine record of performance at the Commonwealth Games and have almost always contributed to the glory of this movement.

London 1934 triggered a controversy, the Games were originally scheduled for South Africa. The Games had to be shifted because of protest over the treatment of black people in the country. 500 athletes from 16 nations, including India participated. India wrestler Anwar Rahshid won the bronze medal in the 74 kg weight category. The greatest problem for the third Games at Sydney was one of travel. In 1938 Games cycling was introduced. Our cyclists returned empty-handed as was the case of its four athletes who took part in Vancouver Games in 1954 and returned without success. In 1942 Games were awarded to Montreal but cancelled because of World War II. The chosen site was at the same place as the 1976 Olympic venue. In 1954 Games created sports legend, for it was there that Roger Bannister and John Landy made history, both breaking the barrier of the four minute-minute mile as they streaked to the finish line. Never before had two men, in competition, both shattered the four-minute barrier. Our sportsperson have especially done well in the last thirteen Games between Cardiff (1958 and Melbourne (2006). India’s accomplishment at the Commonwealth Games through this period in this pattern of improvement at the Games, where the contest is of a certain competence although less than, and is good enough to promote sports thus providing a spring board for foster efforts. A glance into the Games history conveys the dominance of Australia and England and to an extend, first host Canada. However, the gap between utmost countries is slandering. India which joined the Games in 1934 in London, earned 50 medals — 22 gold to be retained fourth on the table at the 18th Commonwealth Games, 2006 Melbourne.