The Hamilton 1930 British Empire Games

The first ever edition of what we now know as the Commonwealth Games took place in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930.

With just seven sports - athletics, boxing, diving, lawn bowls, rowing, swimming and wrestling - three venues, and only 11 participating nations, the fledgling Games were a success with a second edition soon scheduled four years later.

England marked the beginning of the quadrennial event in style by finishing top of the medals table with 25 gold medals. David Cecil and Joyce Cooper were the standout names, wininng three and four gold medals in athletics and swimming respectively.

Cecil and Cooper were one of 92 athletes that England sent to Canada, an impressive number that would rise for the next Games - where the nation would enjoy home advantage.