The 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games (Welsh: Gemau Ymerodraeth Prydain a'r Gymanwlad 1958) were held in Cardiff, Wales, from 18 to 26 July 1958. It was the sixth edition of what would come to be known as the Commonwealth Games, the second Games held in the United Kingdom, and the second held under the name British Empire and Commonwealth Games.
Thirty-five nations sent a total of 1,130 athletes and 228 officials to the Cardiff Games and 23 countries and dependencies won medals, including, for the first time, Singapore, Ghana, Kenya and the Isle of Man. 178,000 tickets were eventually sold during the Games.
The Cardiff Games introduced the Queen's Baton Relay, which has been conducted as a prelude to every Commonwealth Games ever since. England topped the medal table.
Venues The British Empire and Commonwealth Games, including the opening and closing ceremonies, were held at the Cardiff Arms Park.
The following venues were used during the Games.
Village - Royal Air Force St Athan Aquatics - A new Wales Empire Pool was constructed for the event Athletics - Cardiff Arms Park Boxing - Sophia Gardens Pavilion Cycling (track) - Maindy Stadium Cycling (road) - Ogmore-by-Sea District Loop Fencing - Cae'r Castell School Lawn bowls - Sophia Gardens and Guest Keen Sports Club Polo (Demo Sport) - Llandaff Fields Rowing - Llyn Padarn in Llanberis Showjumping (Demo Sport) - Ninian Park Weightlifting - Memorial Hall in Barry Wrestling - Sophia Gardens Pavilion
Participating teams
36 countries and territories were represented (and 1,100 athletes), being the largest number to date, with a significant number of teams competing for the first time at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games.
At Cardiff Arms Park, an anti-apartheid crowd protested at the all-white South African team; games organisers responded that non-white South Africans were ineligible as their associations were not affiliated to the international federations. South Africa left the Commonwealth in 1961 and next appeared at the Games in 1994.
Participating Commonwealth countries and territories:
Australia Bahama Islands Barbados British Guiana Canada
Dominica England Fiji Ghana : first appearance Hong Kong India : first appearance Jamaica : first appearance Kenya Malaya Malta: first appearance Mauritius: first appearance New Zealand Nigeria North Borneo: first appearance Northern Ireland Northern Rhodesia Pakistan : first appearance Sarawak: first appearance Scotland Singapore: first appearance Sierra Leone: first appearance South Africa Southern Rhodesia
Uganda Wales (host)
Medal table
Sports
Demo Sports:
References
External links "Cardiff 1958". Commonwealthsport.com. Commonwealth Sport. "Results and Medalists—1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games" . Thecgf.com. Commonwealth Games Federation. Pathe news: Commonwealth Games Cardiff 1958 reel 1 Pathe news: Commonwealth Games Cardiff 1958 reel 2