Commonwealth has been home to some top-class individual performances. It is a multi-sports international event that allows athletes to showcase their talents and abilities. The game involves athletes majorly from areas that were formerly under British Rule. This event was first held in 1930. It was not held during World War 2. It takes place every four years.
The XXII Commonwealth Games are scheduled to be held in Birmingham, from Thursday 28th July to Monday, 8th August. It is said that more than 5000 athletes hailing from 72 countries will compete for glory. It will include a total of 19 sports and 280 medal events. This will be nothing short of a treat for sports enthusiasts. On the eve of the Commonwealth Games 2022, we will discuss some famous commonwealth athletes who excelled in the history of this event.
1. Philip Adams
Philip Adams was an Australian sports shooter. He competed in 6 commonwealth events. He competed in the events held from 1982 to 2002. He has secured a total of eighteen medals including 7 gold medals, 9 silver, and two bronze medals. He shares the record with Mike Gault for being the most prolific medal winner in the history of the event. His reputation was at risk of getting maligned when he returned a positive drug test before the 2002 Commonwealth Games. However, the authorities found out that the drugs could not enhance his performance and he was allowed to take part in the competition. In 1991, he received the Medal of the Order of Australia award. Sportsmen like him have made Australia one of the top-performing countries in the Commonwealth Games.
2. Mike Gault
Mike Gault was an English sports shooter. He was also a part of the Royal Air Force. Gault first came to the limelight when he competed at the Commonwealth Games held in 1998. He won four gold medals alone at that event. He appeared in the competition on 6 different occasions. He won 18 medals in total. Despite the fact that he has never been selected for the British Olympic team. In 2010 he announced retirement at the age of 56. He is surely among famous commonwealth athletes.
3. Donald Quarry
Donald Quairre was a Jamaican track and field athlete. He is arguably among the best sprinters the world has witnessed in the 20th century. He came to prominence in the 1970 Commonwealth Games. It was the event in which he won both the sprint titles. He also set the benchmark for the Jamaican team to win a gold medal in the 4 x 100m relay. He defended his medal in the 1974 event of the same games. He was the first athlete to achieve this rare feat. He was not satisfied with a win but also equaled the 100-meter record.
He completed the race in a record 9.9 seconds. At the 1978 Commonwealth Games, he won his third consecutive 100-meter race. This cemented his reputation as one of the famous commonwealth athletes. After his athletic career came to an end he played a crucial role in nurturing new and aspiring talents in Jamaica.
