1986 Commonwealth Games

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XIII Commonwealth Games
1986 Commonwealth Games logo.svg
Host city Edinburgh, Scotland
Nations27
Athletes1,660
Events161 events in 10 sports
Opening24 July 1986
Closing2 August 1986
Opened by Elizabeth II
Queen's Baton Final Runner Allan Wells
Main venue Meadowbank Stadium
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XIV  →

The 1986 Commonwealth Games were held in Edinburgh, Scotland, between 24 July and 2 August 1986. This was the second Commonwealth Games to be held in Edinburgh. Thirty two of the eligible fifty nine countries (largely African, Asian and Caribbean states) boycotted the event because of the Thatcher government's policy of keeping Britain's sporting links with apartheid South Africa.

Contents

The Games were commemorated on the UK's first-ever £2 circulating coin, which showed a Scottish thistle upon the St. Andrew's saltire design on the reverse side of the coin.

Organisation

Unlike the 1970 Games in Edinburgh, which were popular and successful, the 1986 Games are ill-famed for the wide political boycott connected with them and the resulting financial mismanagement. [1]

Controversies

In addition to the boycott, further controversy arose when it was revealed that through this much-reduced participation and the resultant decline in anticipated broadcasting and sponsorship revenues, the Organising Committee was facing a big financial black hole. The boycott ended any prospect of securing emergency government assistance. Businessman Robert Maxwell stepped in to offer funding, taking over as chairman; but although he promised to invest £2m, his contribution was just £250,000. On a budget of £14m, the Games opened with a deficit of £3m, which later grew to £4.3m, and instead of putting enough money into the event to save it, the new chairman of the Games asked creditors to forgo half the payment due to them to keep the event out of liquidation. The debt was finally paid off in 1989, with the city of Edinburgh losing approximately £500,000. [2]

Several athletes were excluded because they breached the amateurism rules, most notably lawn bowlers Phil Skoglund from New Zealand and Willie Wood from Scotland, both of whom have competed in subsequent Games.

Participating teams

Due to the boycott only 27 teams from across the Commonwealth were represented at the 1986 Games.

Participating Commonwealth countries and Territories Commonwealth games 1986 countries map.PNG
Participating Commonwealth countries and Territories
Participating Commonwealth countries and territories

^  Note: Bermuda withdrew from the games to join the boycott after the opening day of competition. [3]

Debuting Commonwealth countries and territories

Boycott

1986 Commonwealth Games boycotting countries dark red 1986 Commonwealth Games (Edinburgh) boycotting countries (red).png
1986 Commonwealth Games boycotting countries dark red

Thirty two of the eligible fifty nine countries (largely African, Asian and Caribbean states) boycotted the event because of the Thatcher government's policy of keeping Britain's sporting links with apartheid South Africa in preference to participating in the general sporting boycott of that country and the American-led boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow in protest of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Consequently, Edinburgh 1986 witnessed the lowest turnout since Auckland 1950. [4] Bermuda was a particularly late withdrawal, as its athletes had appeared in the opening ceremony and in the opening day of competition before the Bermuda Olympic Association decided to formally withdraw. [5]

Commonwealth countries and territories that boycotted the Games

Opening ceremony

Banner celebrating the University of Edinburgh Quartercentenary in 1986

The theme of the opening ceremony celebrated the "Spirit of Youth" and included 6500 Scottish schoolchildren taking part in a series of large Mass Games-style Gymnastics routines. The theme song "Spirit of Youth" was written by Gerard Kenny. The ceremony began on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle from which hundreds of schoolchildren ran down the Royal Mile, through Holyrood Park to Meadowbank Stadium. [7]

Venues

Sports

Medal table

  *   Host nation (Scotland)

RankNationGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1Flag of England.svg  England  (ENG)524349144
2Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada  (CAN)513430115
3Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia  (AUS)404635121
4Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand  (NZL)8161438
5Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales  (WAL)651223
6Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland  (SCO)*3121833
7Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland  (NIR)24915
8Flag of the Isle of Man.svg  Isle of Man  (IOM)1001
9Flag of Guernsey.svg  Guernsey  (GUE)0202
10Flag of Eswatini.svg  Eswatini  (SWZ)0101
11Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg  Hong Kong  (HKG)0033
12Flag of Malawi.svg  Malawi  (MAW)0022
13Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana  (BOT)0011
Flag of Jersey.svg  Jersey  (JEY)0011
Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore  (SIN)0011
Totals (15 entries)163163175501

See also

References

  1. ↑ Oliver, Brian (22 July 2014). "The forgotten story of … Robert Maxwell's 1986 Commonwealth Games". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 7 April 2017.
  2. ↑ "Glasgow makes final call for 2014 Games - Athletics - Scotsman.com". News.scotsman.com. 9 May 2007. Archived from the original on 17 May 2007. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  3. ↑ Fraser, Graham (25 April 2014). Glasgow 2014: The Bermuda boycott of 1986 that still hurts . BBC Sport. Retrieved on 19 August 2015.
  4. ↑ "Scottish independence referendum will increase interest in Glasgow 2014, it is claimed | Glasgow 2014". insidethegames.biz. 29 February 2012. Archived from the original on 11 August 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  5. ↑ Fraser, Graham (25 April 2014). Glasgow 2014: The Bermuda boycott of 1986 that still hurts . BBC Sport. Retrieved on 2 November 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 "8 More Nations Join Boycott of Commonwealth Games; Total Now 23". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 21 February 2017. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  7. ↑ "Power From Within – Commonwealth Games 1986 Opening Ceremony – YouTube". youtube.com. Archived from the original on 30 July 2016. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Bell, Daniel (2003). Encyclopedia of international games. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co. p. 122. ISBN   0-7864-1026-4.
  9. ↑ "Barry Buddon Training Centre from The Gazetteer for Scotland". www.scottish-places.info. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  10. ↑ "Shooting fans - aim for Barry Buddon!" . Dundee Evening Telegraph. 23 July 1986. p. 22. Retrieved 16 February 2026– via British Newspaper Archive.
  11. ↑ "Book your place at the Games" . Sporting Post. 31 May 1986. p. 13. Retrieved 31 January 2026– via British Newspaper Archive.
  12. ↑ "Ingliston big sell takes off" . Edinburgh Evening News. 3 March 1986. p. 5. Retrieved 31 January 2026– via British Newspaper Archive.
  13. ↑ "Rotaract told of the Games" . West Lothian Courier. 24 January 1986. p. 24. Retrieved 31 January 2026– via British Newspaper Archive.
  14. ↑ Ducker, Chris (30 July 1986). "Colossus of Oz fills the stage". Evening Post. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  15. ↑ "Plans are well on course for rowing event where athlets will go for gold" . Motherwell Times. 20 February 1986. p. 12. Retrieved 14 February 2026– via British Newspaper Archive.
  16. ↑ "High cost of hospitality" . Edinburgh Evening News. 26 March 1986. p. 5. Retrieved 13 February 2026– via British Newspaper Archive.
Preceded by
Brisbane 		Commonwealth Games
Edinburgh
XIII Commonwealth Games		Succeeded by
Auckland
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