What is the difference between Commonwealth Games and Olympics?

The major difference you have to know about between Commonwealth Games and the Olympics

What is the difference between Commonwealth Games and Olympics?

Olympics was introduced in 1896 and started as a small event with very less participating countries. On the other hand, the first edition of the Commonwealth Games was launched in 1930. The Olympic Games are headed by International Olympic Committee (IOC) and its headquarters is situated in Lausanne, Switzerland, while the Commonwealth Games is located in London, England, and is headed by the Commonwealth Games Federation. However, the two games are not exactly alike, in fact there are various differences between them that make each of the stands apart.

  • The main difference between the two is that in the Olympic Games countries from around the world compete, whereas in the Commonwealth Games only the countries that are part of the Commonwealth of Nations compete.
  • The structure of the game is similar, such as athletes from different countries competing in different sports to win medals. However, in the Olympic Games athletes from countries around the world compete, whereas in the Commonwealth Games, only athletes from countries that were once part of the Commonwealth compete.
  • Differences between the games include the sports themselves. Both games have a different lineup of sports and events that are independent of each other, which means that each of them tends to have events and competitions which the other one does not. For example, the Commonwealth Games include squash, netball, and lawn bowling, events that are not part of the Olympics.

The Olympic Games are divided into two categories concerning able-bodied athletes (Olympics) and those with disabilities (Paralympics). It can be further divided into two events based on the period which are called Winter Olympics and Summer Olympics. Olympics are held for 17 days approximately. On the other side, Commonwealth Games are organized during the same period for both able-bodied and athletes with disabilities. The duration of the Commonwealth Games is generally 10 days.

What is the difference between Commonwealth Games and Olympics?

Participating Countries

Any country can participate in Olympics, while the countries which were once controlled by the British Empire are eligible to participate in the Commonwealth Games. A total of 206 countries participated in the Tokyo Olympics 2020. Meanwhile, Commonwealth Games 2020 features a total of 72 teams. 32 countries are considered honorary members of the Olympics, while The Commonwealth of Nations has 56 member states, including, Australia, Canada, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Singapore, Jamaica, and others.

What is the difference between Commonwealth Games and Olympics?

Also, the Olympics tend to happen on a grander scale as more people compete in it and from more countries, which makes it more relevant for people. As only a few countries participate in the Commonwealth Games, especially as compared to the Olympics, the games are only relevant for citizens of those counties. Due to this, it is also harder to qualify for the Olympics, as compared to the Commonwealth Games, as there is more competition, scrutiny, and more bureaucratic hurdles.

However, each of them is famous for their rights and their circles. For the countries in the Commonwealth, both the Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games are equally popular. However, for the rest of the world, the Commonwealth Games do not matter as they have no stake in it. For them, the Olympics are everything.


The 22nd edition of the Commonwealth Games has already been done in Birmingham, India has racked up 22 gold, 16 silver, and 23 bronze medals so far. For the first time ever in Commonwealth Games history, the para-sports medals section was also clubbed alongside the overall medal table for every nation.

The 33rd edition of the Olympic Games is set to take place in 2024 in Paris. Both the multi-sport events are held every four years but share differences, concerning the number of participating countries, format, and sporting events among others.

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