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The Empire Games Trivia Quiz

Nowadays known as the Commonwealth Games, how much do you know about the early days of this international athletics competiton?

A multiple-choice quiz by Rowena8482. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
Rowena8482

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
332,991

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
161

1. The British Empire Games were held for the first time in 1930, in a place called Hamilton. In which country is this particular host, Hamilton? Hint

England

New Zealand

Canada

Australia

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2. At the first Empire Games, in 1930, which was the only event to have women competitors? Hint

Swimming

Ballroom Dancing

Rowing

Equestrianism

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3. From the first Empire Games in 1930, until the 1950 Games, the Parade of Nations during the Opening Ceremony was led by a bearer carrying which flag? Hint

Union Jack

Host Nation's Flag

Games Flag

Cross of St. George

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4. Which of these statements is true about the men's 440 yards hurdles event at the Empire Games of 1930? Hint

Anti- Royalist saboteurs set one of the hurdles on fire

It was cancelled due to a severe hailstorm which injured a runner

It was the only event in which England took gold, silver and bronze

There was a dead heat for the gold medal position

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5. The official flag of the Empire Games was designed in 1931; what did the flag look like? Hint

The British Royal coat of arms on a red ground, with the Games motto around the outside

White ground with St. George's cross and 42 stars around it

Dark blue ground with a gold crown, chain, and BCG on it

Each corner had the flag of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and EG in the middle

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6. Which of these sports is recognised by the Commonwealth Games Federation, but was only ever contested once during the 20th century, at the 1930 Empire Games? Hint

Handball

Baseball

Softball

Netball

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7. Which of these statements is TRUE about the Commonwealth Winter Games in the 20th century? Hint

There have never been any

They are held every eight years rather than every four

They are held every year that there is a summer games

They were held in 1958, 1962 and 1966

8. Beginning with the British Empire and Commonwealth Games of 1958, a baton is carried and passed from person to person until it arrives at the venue for the Opening Ceremony. Where does this baton start its journey? Hint

Buckingham Palace in London

Hamilton, where the first Games were held

The Closing Ceremony venue of the previous Games

Commonwealth House (formerly Empire House) in London

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9. England, Scotland, Wales, and three other countries attended every Empire and Commonwealth Games from 1930 - 2010 inclusive. Which of these is NOT one of the other three? Hint

Australia

New Zealand

Canada

Northern Ireland

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10. Alongside the four 'Home Countries' teams of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, three Crown Dependencies of Great Britain send separate teams to the Games. Which of these is NOT one of them? Hint

Isle of Man

The Scilly Isles

Jersey

Guernsey

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The British Empire Games were held for the first time in 1930, in a place called Hamilton. In which country is this particular host, Hamilton?

Answer: Canada

The first Empire Games were held in Hamilton, Ontario in Canada. They were organised by a sports journalist, for the "Hamilton Spectator" newspaper, named Bobby Robinson.

2. At the first Empire Games, in 1930, which was the only event to have women competitors?

Answer: Swimming

There were only six sports in total at the 1930 Games, and the only one with female participants was swimming. Of the fifteen swimming medals awarded to women, all but one were won by athletes from the United Kingdom. By the following games in 1934, women also took part in some of the athletics events.

3. From the first Empire Games in 1930, until the 1950 Games, the Parade of Nations during the Opening Ceremony was led by a bearer carrying which flag?

Answer: Union Jack

Although England, Scotland, Wales, and several islands of the UK compete as separate teams in the Games, the bearer still carried the Union Jack during the Parade of Nations.

4. Which of these statements is true about the men's 440 yards hurdles event at the Empire Games of 1930?

Answer: It was the only event in which England took gold, silver and bronze

The English team won a grand total of 61 medals at the Games, with 25 gold among them. The men's 440 yard hurdles was the only event where they managed to take all three at once. The gold medal went to David Cecil, who also won gold in the 120 yard hurdles, and the 4x440 yard relay.

5. The official flag of the Empire Games was designed in 1931; what did the flag look like?

Answer: Dark blue ground with a gold crown, chain, and BCG on it

The flag was made by British Empire Games Association of Canada, and used until 1950. This was when the Games became the British Empire and Commonwealth Games, and the flag was retired.

6. Which of these sports is recognised by the Commonwealth Games Federation, but was only ever contested once during the 20th century, at the 1930 Empire Games?

Answer: Handball

Approved sports, of which there are 21, are categorised into core sports, optional sports, and recognised sports. Host countries must include the core events, and can choose, from among the others, which ones to include in their Games. Softball is recognised but has never been selected by a host country. Netball is a core sport and features at every Games. Baseball is not recognised by the Games Federation.

7. Which of these statements is TRUE about the Commonwealth Winter Games in the 20th century?

Answer: They were held in 1958, 1962 and 1966

All threee Winter Commonwealth Games were held in St. Moritz in Switzerland.

Answer: Buckingham Palace in London

The Queen's Baton Relay begins, in a Games year, at Buckingham Palace, as part of the Commonwealth Day celebrations. Commonwealth Day (formerly Empire Day) falls on the second Monday in March each year. Inside the baton is a message from the reigning British monarch to the athletes who will be competing in the Games.

9. England, Scotland, Wales, and three other countries attended every Empire and Commonwealth Games from 1930 - 2010 inclusive. Which of these is NOT one of the other three?

Answer: Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland sent a team to the Games in 1934 and 1938, then did not compete again until 1954. Australia topped the overall medals table eleven times between 1930 and 2010, England seven times, and Canada once.

Answer: The Scilly Isles

At the Olympic Games, Great Britain sends one team, comprising athletes from the whole country. Some other British overseas territories send teams to the Commonwealth Games, as do some external territories of other Commonwealth countries, including Norfolk Island, Niue, and the Cook Islands.

Source: Author Rowena8482

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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