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Effective Monday Feb. 27, we cannot accept any new event ticket orders for the
Commonwealth Games. Please contact the ticket office in Melbourne on your arrival
to purchase new or additional event tickets.
Important Notice
Due to circumstances beyond our control the distribution of event
tickets is later than anticipated. We apologize for any inconvenience
this may have caused you.
All event tickets ordered and confirmed by Melbourne prior to December 20, 2005
have now been received in our Ottawa office and are being processed for delivery
by Express Post.
Ticket orders placed after December 20, 2005 have been requested. Monique will let you know
if and when their availability has been confirmed by Melbourne. If confirmed,
you will be able to pick these tickets up from Monique in Melbourne after March 5, 2006.
Monique will contact you to let you know if the tickets have been confirmed as available
and to let you know where and when she will have the tickets for pick up.
If you have any questions on the above, please do not hesitate to contact Monique
by e-mail monique@executive-trvl.com.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Please note: Aquatics (Diving, Swimming, and Synchronized), Cycling, Gymnastics,
Netball and Shooting are sold out events.
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Executive Worldwide Travel is very pleased and proud to be the official travel agent
for Commonwealth Games Athletes as well as the official ticket agent for
Commonwealth Games Tickets in Canada.
In addition, we are working to arrange the very best travel options for spectators wishing to enjoy
the Commonwealth Games and possibly tack on a little vacation travel as well.
Please visit our accommodations and transportation information pages frequently as we will be posting
options as they become available.
About the Games
The XVIII Commonwealth Games take place from March 15-26, 2006.
Located in Melbourne, this represents the 4th time that Australia has hosted the Games.
Promoting a unique, friendly and world class Games, the Commonwealth Games Federation develops
sport for the benefit of the people, the nations and the territories of the Commonwealth and
thereby strengthens the Commonwealth.
History
The Commonwealth Games are to Canada what the Olympic Games are to Greece as the first
Commonwealth Games were held in 1930 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Bobby Robinson, a major influence within athletics in Canada at the time, finally implemented
the event that had been talked about amongst Commonwealth nations for over thirty years.
Eleven countries with 400 athletes in total participated in the first Commonwealth Games.
$30,000 was provided by the City of Hamilton to these nations to help cover travelling costs.
Since then, the Games have been conducted every four years except for 1942 and 1946, due
to World War II.
From 1930 to 1950 the Games were known as the British Empire Games, then the British Empire
and Commonwealth Games until 1962. From 1966 to 1974 they took on the title of British Commonwealth
Games and from 1978 onwards they have been known as simply the Commonwealth Games.
While other Games around the globe have been founded on geographic or climatic factors such as the
Asian, Pan Am, African Games and Winter Olympics, the Commonwealth Games has been founded on history.
Unique characteristics of the Commonwealth Games include being the only Games which shares a
common language. All athletes and officials can converse with each other in English,
creating an atmosphere that has led to the Commonwealth Games being long known as the "Friendly Games".
The bonds of the Commonwealth Games help to encourage and support the pursuit of health
and fitness in each of the 72 member countries and provide an inspiration for youth to strive
for excellence.
Participating Countries
Although there are 53 Commonwealth countries, there are 71 Commonwealth Games Associations
that can enter a team in the Commonwealth Games. This is because some Commonwealth
countries have more than one CGA. The Commonwealth includes 1.7 billion people living on every continent but Antarctica.
Canada will be looking to field a team of between 400 and 450 athletes, coaches and officials
for the 2006 Games.
Core Sports
The Commonwealth Games Federation rules state that starting in 2010,
the sport programme must consist of no more than 15 sports. Of the 15 sports,
the following five core sports must be included:
- Athletics
- Lawn Bowls
- Netball (Women only)
- Rugby 7's (Men only)
- Aquatics (includes swimming, diving and synchro)
The remaining ten sports are selected by the Host Organizing Committee, thus can change
from one Games to the next.
Sports at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games will be:
- AQUATICS (Diving, Swimming* and Synchronized Swimming)
- ATHLETICS (Track & Field*)
- BADMINTON
- BASKETBALL (Canada is not sending a Team)
- BOXING
- CYCLING
- GYMNASTICS (Artistic and Rhythmic)
- HOCKEY
- LAWN BOWLS
- NETBALL (Canada is not sending a Team)
- RUGBY 7s
- SHOOTING
- SQUASH
- TABLE TENNIS*
- TRIATHLON
- WEIGHTLIFTING*
- * indicates integrated events for Elite Athletes with a Disability
Important Dates
- Mar. 3 Official Team Departure Date - to arrive in village on opening day
- Mar. 5 Village Opening
- Mar. 14 Team Reception
- Mar. 15 Opening Ceremonies
- Mar. 26 Closing Ceremonies
- Mar. 29 Village Closing
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