1954 British Empire &
Commonwealth Games
30 July – 7 August, Vancouver, Canada
The V Games were now renamed to include Commonwealth
in the title for the first time. The ‘Miracle
Mile’, as it became dubbed, saw both the gold
medalist, Roger Bannister of England, and silver medalist,
John Landy of Australia; run sub-four minute races
in an event that was televised live across the globe
for the first time.
A total of nine disciplines figured in the Games.
The awarding of the Games to Vancouver was the culmination
of two years of very hard work by an enterprising
group of Civic leaders spearheaded by then Mayor,
Charles E. Thompson.
Vancouver then proceeded to set new standards in organization
and presentation of not only Commonwealth Games but
all multi-sport Games of the times.
The athletes’ oath was taken by the captain
of the Canadian team, Mr. Bill Parnell, which for
the first time would reflect the involvement of Commonwealth
nations, outside of the British Empire.
The Fifth (V) Games placed Vancouver on a world stage
and featured memorable sporting moments as well as
outstanding entertainment, technical innovation and
cultural events. The ‘Miracle Mile’, as
it became dubbed, saw both the gold medalist, Roger
Bannister of England, and silver medalist, John Landy
of Australia, run sub-four minute races in an event
that was televised live across the globe for the first
time.
Some 24 nations sent a total of 662 athletes and 127
officials to the Vancouver Games. This was a 'quantum
leap' in size for the Commonwealth Games and represented
the most significant increase in (100%) for any Commonwealth
Games.
Nations winning medals at the Games included England,
Australia, South Africa, Canada, New Zealand, Scotland,
Trinidad, Northern Ireland, (Zimbabwe)North and South
Rhodesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Wales, Jamaica, Hong
Kong, Uganda, Barbados and British Guiana.
The sports on the programmed were athletics, boxing,
cycling, diving, lawn bowls, rowing, swimming, weightlifting
and wrestling.
