quadrennial sports competition embracing athletics (track and field), gymnastics, bowls, and swimming events for both men and women, and boxing, cycling, shooting, weight lifting, and wrestling for men only. Rowing, shooting, badminton, and fencing have also been included occasionally. Participants must be amateurs and must be qualified by birth or residence in some member country (or a dependency of a member country) of the Commonwealth.

The Reverend Astley Cooper of Yorkshire, Eng., broached the idea of such games in 1891, and the inaugural British Empire Games were held at Hamilton, Ont., in 1930. Eleven countries sent teams for a program of athletics, lawn bowls, boxing, rowing, swimming, and wrestling, and the English team emerged with the largest share of medals. It was agreed that the games would be held in varying Commonwealth cities at four-year intervals, preferably midway between the Olympic Games. The games have been held except in the years 1942 and 1946. Women were included from the outset, and women's athletics events began to be included in 1934.