1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
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Article ImagesThe 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games were held in Vancouver, British Columbia, from 30 July to 7 August 1954. This was the fifth edition of the event that would eventually become known as the Commonwealth Games, the second post-war Games, the second Canadian Games after the inaugural event in Hamilton and the first event since the name change from British Empire Games took effect in 1952.
Host city | Vancouver, Canada |
---|---|
Nations | 24 |
Athletes | 662 |
Events | 91 |
Opening | 30 July 1954 |
Closing | 7 August 1954 |
Opened by | Earl Alexander of Tunis |
Closed by | Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh |
Athlete's Oath | Bill Parnell |
Main venue | Empire Stadium |
It was at these games that the "Miracle Mile" took place between Roger Bannister and John Landy at Empire Stadium. This was the first time these two (and at that time the only two) sub-four-minute mile runners appeared in the same race, and also the first time two runners broke four minutes in the same race. On the same afternoon, Jim Peters, the holder of the world best time for the marathon, entered the stadium 17 minutes ahead of his nearest rival, but collapsed on his final lap, and never completed the race.
The games were attended by 24 nations and 662 competitors.[1]
- Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Athletics: Empire Stadium, Hastings Park
- Bowls: West Point Grey Club, New West Club
- Boxing: Exhibition Forum, Pacific National Exhibition
- Cycling: Empire Oval (Track), 1155 East Broadway (Road)
- Fencing: Lord Byng School, West Point Grey
- Rowing: Vedder Canal, Chilliwack
- Swimming and Diving: Empire Pool, University of British Columbia, West Point Grey
- Weightlifting: Exhibition Gardens, Pacific National Exhibition
- Wrestling: Kerrisdale Arena
- Athletes' Village: University of British Columbia, West Point Grey
24 teams were represented at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games.
(Teams competing for the first time are shown in bold).
* Host nation (Canada)
+ Lionel Cox did not receive a silver medal, the Australian cycling team refused to participate in the gold and bronze medal playoffs and were subsequently disqualified.[2]
- ^ "Commonwealth Games Federation – 1954 Commonwealth Games – Introduction". thecgf.com. Archived from the original on 15 June 2017. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
- ^ "AUSSIES BOYCOTT GAMES CYCLING Thu 5 Aug 1954 Page 1". Daily Advertiser (Wagga Wagga, NSW). 1954.
- "Vancouver 1954". Commonwealthsport.com. Commonwealth Sport.
- "Results and Medalists—1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games". Thecgf.com. Commonwealth Games Federation.
- British Empire and Commonwealth Games, a National Film Board of Canada documentary about the 1954 Games.