Commonwealth Youth Games

The Commonwealth Youth Games were born as the new millennium dawned.

They were conceived as Games for the next generation and the age group of 14 to 18 reflects that aim.

An agreement to hold the Commonwealth Youth Games was reached at a meeting of the Commonwealth Games Federation in 1998. The first host city in 2000 was Scottish capital Edinburgh, a city rich in Commonwealth Games heritage from 1970 and 1986. 

The centrepiece of the event was Meadowbank where the athletics track, indoor hall and Royal Commonwealth Pool were all used in a direct legacy from 1970.

A limit of 1,000 competitors was set and the duration fixed at no more than seven days, including one "cultural day".

The first Games featured 733 participants who came from Australia, Barbados, Canada, England, India, Isle of Man, Jersey, Malaysia, Nauru, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, Wales and Zimbabwe.

The programme was initially limited to eight sports and in 2000 comprised athletics, fencing, gymnastics, hockey, tennis, squash, swimming and weightlifting. 

The city donated a silver "quaich" - a two handled drinking cup standing 13cm high and 18cm wide.

This was to be presented to the next host city of the Games.

The Commonwealth Youth Games take place every four years - just like the Commonwealth Games. Although the first three Games were held in the "mid year" of the Commonwealth Cycle, this was later adjusted so they would not coincide with an Olympic year.

The roll of honour soon included some illustrious names who were destined to find success at senior level. These included gymnast Beth Tweddle from England and swimmers Jodie Henry of Australia and South Africa's Natalie du Toit. In athletics, future hurdles champion Sally Pearson from Australia and England's heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill made names for themselves.

Irish boxer Carl Frampton, a future world champion, has tweeted his fond memories of attending the Commonwealth Youth Games.

The size and scope of the Games expanded to the extent that, in 2008, all 71 nations and territories sent competitors to Pune in India.

The Games are typically staged in smaller cities and, since the 2011 celebration in Douglas on the Isle of Man, they have visited the Pacific Island of Samoa and The Bahamas.

That trend will continue with the next Games which are set to be held in Trinidad and Tobago.