What do the Commonwealth Games mean for inclusion, diversity and equity?

A reflection on this year’s Commonwealth games

As the Commonwealth Games come to a close, we can take stock and reflect on the impact of these major games from an inclusion perspective.

During the Games we witnessed some momentous strides, more females were able to compete than ever before, we have seen the largest ever para-sport programme, new rules were introduced on competitor’s rights to protest, and landmarks such as the small island country of Niue winning its first-ever Commonwealth Games medal in Men’s Boxing.

All of this means that the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games have been hailed as pioneering from an inclusion perspective.

But when we reflect on the history and origins of the Games, the fact that coverage included zero discussions of racism, and that same-sex relationships are still illegal in 36 of the 72 countries, the inclusion picture is somewhat different.

How can we as a sector continue conversations and take action to ensure we are still progressing towards a more equitable and inclusive Games, ahead of Victoria 2026?

The history of the Commonwealth games

We can’t begin to look at how far we have come, without starting from the beginning and looking at the history and origins of the games.

The event first started in 1930, and was known as the British Empire Games, although often referred to as the ‘friendly games’.  However, as we all know, Empires have nearly always been vehicles for the oppression and exploitation of particular communities. The British Empire was no exception and was often characterised by extreme violence and the subjection of Native people to new rules and legislation.

Fast forward a few decades to the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, when many nations decided to boycott the Games. 32 nations – including many African, Asian and Caribbean countries or states didn’t attend because of the UK government’s refusal to impose sanctions on South Africa’s apartheid administration.

In another act of political action, in 2018, a leg of the Commonwealth Games baton relay was blocked by indigenous Aboriginal activists, who demanded that visitors be granted permission to visit the “stolen” land ahead of the opening ceremony.

So, the origins of the games tell a very particular story from an inclusion perspective.

Moving forward and taking action

Despite its complex history, progress has been achieved. On the last day of this year’s Games, the Commonwealth Games president announced that Birmingham 2022 had reached new heights with respect to inclusion and positive change in sport and should be the benchmark for future sporting events across the Commonwealth.

It was also refreshing to see that athletes were able to use their platform to raise awareness in this year’s Games and competitors took the opportunity to pay tribute to certain topics close to their hearts. 

For example, you will have noticed that all the athletes were permitted to wear clothing, badges or armbands on the podium to show solidarity with a particular cause.  And while some acts of allyship and advocacy remain contentious in certain parts of the world, we saw Tom Daley pay tribute to LGBTQ+ rights during his section of the baton relay, walking out with six others from across the globe, where same-sex relationships are still illegal.

Not only was there a platform for athletes to hold open spaces to highlight injustices, but inclusivity was also high on the Birmingham 2022 agenda with the additions of beach volleyball, the women’s T20 cricket and para table tennis to the sporting programme. All of which demonstrates that the Commonwealth Games organising committee did not shy away from their inclusion priorities.

However, it is worth considering whether any of the athletes competing in this year’s Games thought about its history and links to colonialism before taking the decision to compete.

And then thinking forward, about the role of the sector now in building bridges with communities whose ancestors may have suffered significant trauma, ahead of the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Australian athlete Ash Gardner, part of the gold medal-winning Cricket team, spoke up in a post-Commonwealth games interview about how her culture and heritage play a huge part in her identity. 

In the interview Ash referred to some of the barriers that restrict certain communities from getting involved in sport and shone a light on the impact colonialism and intergenerational trauma are still having today on the participation of Indigenous communities in sport and the numbers who succeed as elite athletes.

Similarly, the Commonwealth Games Foundation’s latest strategic plan acknowledges its challenging history linked to its colonial roots and emphasises the need to shift its focus to the promotion of global peace.

Closing thoughts

All eyes are now on the Victoria 2026 Games, with the topics of inclusion and legacy being crucial in continuing to ensure major events are inclusive and equitable for all.

Sport is a powerful tool, and we shouldn’t shy away from having uncomfortable conversations to better the sector. To find out more about you can help keep conversations progressing in the sector visit our Inclusive Sport page.