Image credit: William Warby
Surprising milestones that widened who gets to compete
The Commonwealth Games have delivered plenty of memorable finishes, but some of their most important moments happened away from the medal table. Across nearly a century, the event has repeatedly expanded who can compete, which sports are recognised and how athletes are represented.
1. Women’s opportunities have expanded dramatically
Women competed at the inaugural Games, but their programme was limited to seven swimming and diving events. By Birmingham 2022, the Games offered more medal events for women than men, showing how participation has expanded over nearly a century.
2. Team sports arrived surprisingly late
Despite being a major multi-sport event since 1930, the Games did not include team sports until Kuala Lumpur 1998. Cricket, hockey, netball and rugby sevens opened the programme to different kinds of athletes and gave fans new ways to connect with the competition.
3. Para sport became part of the same Games
Manchester 2002 was the first international multi-sport Games to fully integrate medal events for elite Para athletes. Para athletes competed for their national teams, and their medals counted in the same tally, setting an important example for inclusive competition.
4. Women made medal-event history
Birmingham 2022 became the first major multi-sport event to offer more medal events for women than men, with 136 women’s events and 134 men’s events. It was a powerful sign that representation can be built into the structure of an event, rather than treated as an addition.
5. Glasgow 2026 is setting another Para sport record
This year’s Games include 47 Para sport medal events across six integrated sports, the largest programme in Commonwealth Games history. The record builds on earlier milestones and shows that creating more inclusive sport is an ongoing process.
Key takeaway
The Commonwealth Games have changed by creating more ways for more athletes to take part. Their history is a reminder that sport is strongest when opportunity keeps expanding.
Your wellbeing, your way
The Games can also be a prompt to explore movement in a way that works for you. Whether that means trying a new class, returning to a favourite activity or supporting recovery between sessions, WHEREFIT offers fitness options and recovery and rehab support to help you take the next step.