Originally called the British Empire Games, the event hosted in Ontario, Canada, brought together athletes from the British Commonwealth to try to foster a spirit of brotherhood and sportsmanship. Eleven countries sent a total of 400 athletes, who competed in six events. Women participated only in the swimming.
The England team dominated on the first day, notably with Lord Burghley winning the 440-yard hurdles, setting a new record.
Empire Games – England wins first two finals
18 August 1930
Hamilton, Ontario, Saturday
The feature of the opening events of the Empire Games, which were contested here today in magnificent weather, was the success of the English athletes after their tedious voyage, which does not seem to have softened their condition so much as might have been expected.
England led in the 220 yards, thanks to SE Engelhart; all four places in the 440 hurdles also fell to England, and Lord Burghley set up a new record of 54 2-5sec, for this event. The second and third places were secured in the six miles, which was won by the dogged New Zealander WJ Savidan, in the remarkable time of 30 min. 49 3-5-sec – a Canadian record.
In the swimming events English women secured the first places in the 220 yards breast stroke and the 400 yards free style, while an Englishman won the 100 yards back stroke. Dominion athletes secured the first three places in the 400 yards free style for men and the first five places in the fancy diving.
Canadians secured three out of the first four places in the hop, step, and jump, although an Englishman, RW Revans, was second.
The opening ceremony
Impressive scenes were witnessed at the official opening of the first meeting in history of athletes from the British empire at the beautiful stadium which has been specially erected in their honour by the city of Hamilton.
As a stirring fanfare of trumpets announced that the Viceregal party, headed by Lord Willingdon, who was accompanied by the Canadian Premier, had taken their places, the great gates of the stadium swung open and the teams, each dressed in distinguishing national uniforms of every colour, marched into the arena in the following order – Newfoundland, Bermuda, British Guiana, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, England and Canada.
Messages from the king, the Prince of Wales, and the Duke of Connaught were read, and these, with the opening speeches, were picked up by microphones and relayed by means of loud-speakers not only to the thousands of Canadians actually in the stadium but all over the Dominion. In an atmosphere of athletic loyalty which has never been possible of achievement before the great gathering of English-speaking athletes took the oath, a squad of soldiers fired a volley over the heads of the competitors, and in strict conformity with Athenian tradition carrier pigeons were released.
England’s Successes
The first final to be decided today was the 220 yards. This fell to England, represented by SE Engelhart, who won the event with three yards to spare in 21 4-5sec. Engelhart ran a well-judged race, coming through at the halfway in a fine burst which Walters, the South African runner, was quite unable to resist, while Gerhardt faded out after half way.
As was expected, Lord Burghley won the 440 yards hurdles without difficulty. He lay ready to make his challenge until he was on the back straight, when he went away with every step to round the final bend and win by ten yards to the accompaniment of warm cheering. Leigh-Wood came through past Near, and with a gallant effort ran into second place. Tatham closely followed Neame in a great race between the four Englishmen.
(This is an edited extract)
The British Empire Games changed its name several times before it became the Commonwealth Games in the 1978 Games, held in Edmonton, Canada.