The Commonwealth Games is known as a popular multi-sport event which has held every four years and involves elite athletes of the Commonwealth of Nations. Speaking about modern Commonwealth Games it's impossible not to mention that the first Commonwealth Games event was organized in 1930. As a matter of fact this event was than known as the British Empire Games. This name was changed in 1954 into the British Empire and Commonwealth Games, then in 1970 the event got the name of the British Commonwealth Games. Only in 1978 this popular event assumed its current modern name Commonwealth Games.

Commonwealth Games is often considered to be similar to well-known Olympic Games. It's a common knowledge that these sporting events have some similar features. For instance, both of them include some sports which are mainly played in the Commonwealth countries (such as rugby sevens, lawn bowls, netball, etc.).

It's worthy admitting that there are lots of other games of this type held in different countries all over the world. For example, such regional games as Pan-American Games, All-Africa Games, Asian Games which are known to attract second-tier athletes. Unlike the mentioned events the Commonwealth Games attract only the top athletes, the members of the Commonwealth. Therefore the competition is considered to be the world-class contest in the true sense of this word. It is second after the famous Olympic Games.

Speaking about the Commonwealth Games it's necessary to mention that this event is annually attended by approximately five thousand athletes. According to this factor the Commonwealth Games are known to be on the third position behind the world-famous Olympic Games and the World Police and Fire Games.

Every more or less educated person knows that three constituent independent countries of the United Kingdom of Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) in addition to the country of Northern Ireland send every year particular separate teams to the Commonwealth Games; individual teams aren't an exception either. They are sent from such crown dependencies as the island of Man and Jersey.

As it has already been mentioned the Commonwealth Games are held every year, but only several countries have attended each of the event. Among them Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England, Wales and Scotland.

The Commonwealth Games is considered to be the sporting competition which brings together the members of the bright British Empire. Speaking about the Commonwealth Games origins it's important to know that it was first proposed by the Reverend Cooper. It was in the 1981 when he made a suggestion of so-called Pan-Britannic-Pan-Anglican Contest and Festival to be held every four years. It was written in Cooper's article in ?The Times?; the purpose of the event was increasing fine understanding between the countries of the British Empire and improving its goodwill. Later the first festival of the British Empire was held in London and was dedicated to the coronation of the King George V.

Thus, the Commonwealth Games has become pretty popular nowadays and sports at Commonwealth Games attract visitors from all around the world.