2006 Commonwealth Games

Multi-sport event in Melbourne, Australia Melbourne Commonwealth Games the withdrawn bid for the games in Melbourne and across Victoria Victoria bid for the 2026 Commonwealth Games February 2018 May 2020 XVIII Commonwealth Games 2006 Commonwealth Games Logo.svg 200px Melbourne, Australia 71The four Home Nations of the United Kingdom — England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — send separate teams to the Commonwealth Games, as do the three Crown Dependencies — Jersey, the Isle of Man and Guernsey — and 9 of the 14 British Overseas Territories. The Cook Islands and Niue, non-sovereign territories in free association with New Zealand also compete separately. There are thus 53 members of the Commonwealth of Nations, but 71 competing teams at the Commonwealth Games. 4,0711911-2010 Australia at the Commonwealth Games: Delhi 2010 XIX Commonwealth Games 3-14 October 2010 Australian Commonwealth Games Association Melbourne 978-0958019019 111 245 in 17 sports 15 March 2006 26 March 2006 Elizabeth II Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex Adam Pine John Landy Melbourne Cricket Ground United by the moment XVII XIX The 2006 Commonwealth Games, officially the XVIII Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Melbourne 2006, were an international multi-sport event for members of the Commonwealth held in Melbourne, Australia between 15 and 26 March 2006. It was the fourth time Australia had hosted the Commonwealth Games. It was also the largest sporting event to be staged in Melbourne, eclipsing the 1956 Summer Olympics in terms of the number of teams and athletes competing, and events being held. More than 4,000 athletes from 71 Commonwealth Games Associations took part in the event.https://thecgf.com/games/melbourne-2006 Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games Federation en 2018-05-01 7 April 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180407120010/https://thecgf.com/games/melbourne-2006 dead Zimbabwe withdrew its membership from the Commonwealth of Nations and Commonwealth Games Federation on 8 December 2003 and so did not participate in the event.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/zimbabwe/1448864/Zimbabwe-quits-Commonwealth-over-suspension.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/zimbabwe/1448864/Zimbabwe-quits-Commonwealth-over-suspension.html 12 January 2022 subscription live Zimbabwe quits Commonwealth over suspension Anton La Guardia Daily Telegraph 2003-12-08 2018-05-01 en-GB 0307-1235 With 245 sets of medals, the Games featured 17 Commonwealth sports. These sporting events took place at 13 venues in the host city, two venues in Bendigo and one venue each in Ballarat, Geelong, Lysterfield Park and Traralgon.http://m2006.thecgf.com/Sports+and+Venues/Venue+Statistics/ M2006 > Sports and Venues > Venue Statistics m2006.thecgf.com 2018-05-01 6 July 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170706072749/http://m2006.thecgf.com/Sports+and+Venues/Venue+Statistics/ dead The site for the opening and closing ceremonies was the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which was also used during the 1956 Olympics.http://m2006.thecgf.com/Sports+and+Venues/Venue+Locations/By+Venue/Melbourne+Cricket+Ground+(MCG)/ M2006 > Sports and Venues > Venue Locations > Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) m2006.thecgf.com 2018-05-01 2 May 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180502064959/http://m2006.thecgf.com/Sports+and+Venues/Venue+Locations/By+Venue/Melbourne+Cricket+Ground+(MCG)/ dead The mascot for the games was Karak, a red-tailed black cockatoo (a threatened species).M2006 > Karak the Mascot > Display https://web.archive.org/web/20060627093001/http://www.melbourne2006.com.au/Karak%2Bthe%2BMascot/Karak%2Bthe%2BMascot.htm 27 June 2006 The official song of the Games, "Together We Are One", was composed by the ARIA awardee Australian recording artist Delta Goodrem. During the closing ceremony of the games, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation Mike Fennell declared to the crowd "Melbourne, you are simply the best".https://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/Melburnians-celebrate-at-Games-close/2006/03/26/1143330933415.html Games farewelled with spectacular party The Sydney Morning Herald 26 March 2006 en 2018-05-02 For the first time in the history of the Commonwealth Games, the Queen's Baton visited every single Commonwealth nation and territory taking part in the Games, a journey of 180000 km miles. The relay ended when the Governor of Victoria, and former Commonwealth Games medallist, John Landy delivered the baton to Her Majesty the Queen at the Melbourne Cricket Ground during the opening ceremony.http://qbr.m2006.thecgf.com/?s=qbr M2006 > Queen's Baton Relay qbr.m2006.thecgf.com en 2018-05-01 15 May 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180515113142/http://qbr.m2006.thecgf.com/?s=qbr dead The host nation Australia topped the medal table for the fifth time in the past five Commonwealth Games, winning the most golds (84) and most medals overall (221). England and Canada finished second and third respectively.http://m2006.thecgf.com/Schedule+and+Results/Medals M2006 > Schedule and Results > Medals m2006.thecgf.com 2018-05-01August 2026 InternetArchiveBot The 2006 Commonwealth Games have been lauded as "best Commonwealth Games ever".Deery Shannon Johnston Matt Melbourne last hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2006 in an event which has been dubbed the "best Commonwealth Games ever". https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/victoria-edges-closer-to-sealing-commonwealth-games-for-2026/news-story/c01e965c83b3cacad46e0a339ab62300 1 February 2022 Herald Sun News Corp A KPMG analysis of 2006 Commonwealth Games found the event prompted an increase in gross state product of about A$1.6 billion over a 20-year period and employment of about 13,600 jobs.Mackay Duncan Victoria bid for 2026 Commonwealth Games set to be launched "this week" https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1118573/victoria-bid-for-2026-commonwealth-games Inside The Games 31 January 2022 1 February 2022 Host selection thumb|Melbourne was selected by the Australian Commonwealth Games Association as the official bid city from Australia for the 2006 Commonwealth Games|left Having previously hosted the 1956 Olympics, Melbourne has hosted world sporting events such as the 1979 World Fencing Championships. The city made a bid to host the 1996 Summer Olympics, but was unsuccessful in its bid to Atlanta.Catalano Kate Cole-Adams, David Porter, Kevin Childs and Antony 2019-09-17 From the Archives: Disappointment turns to anger as Melbourne loses Olympic bid https://www.smh.com.au/sport/from-the-archives-disappointment-turns-to-anger-as-melbourne-loses-olympic-bid-20190917-p52s55.html 2024-09-24 The Sydney Morning Herald en Following the failure of the Olympic bid, the city would later make plans to host the Commonwealth Games. During the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, two cities initially expressed interest in hosting the event; Melbourne, Australia and Wellington, New Zealand.Wellington Bid To Host The 2006 Commonwealth Games http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/wellington-bid-host-2006-commonwealth-games 2021-04-22 The Beehive en Wellington withdrew its bid, citing the costs involved with matching the bid plan presented by Melbourne, which became the default host without members of the Federation going to vote.COMMONWEALTH GAMES: Melbourne looks set to host 2006 Commonwealth Games The Independent 1999-04-11Sports around the World: History, Culture, and Practice https://books.google.com/books?id=BVnDEAAAQBAJ Nauright John Parrish Charles 371 2012 ABC-CLIO 9781598843002 2001-09-27 MELBOURNE HOPES FOR 2006 COMMONWEALTH GAMES https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/melbourne-hopes-for-2006-commonwealth-games/ 2021-04-22 SportBusiness en-US +2006 Commonwealth Games bidding resultsCityNationVotesMelbourneAustraliaUnanimous Preparation and development thumb|Melbourne Cricket Ground Venues The following venues were used at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. The sport(s) that were played at that venue are listed after it. Melbourne venues right|thumb|Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre thumb|Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre thumb|Multi Purpose Venue (Melbourne Park) thumb|Docklands Stadium Docklands Precinct: Walks and Marathon Melbourne Cricket Ground: Opening and closing ceremonies, and Athletics (Track and Field) Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre: Badminton, Boxing and Weightlifting Melbourne Gun Club: Clay Target Shooting Melbourne International Shooting Club: Small Bore and Pistol Shooting Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre: Aquatics, Squash and Table tennis Multi Purpose Venue (Melbourne Park): Basketball Finals, Track Cycling and Netball Finals Rod Laver Arena (Melbourne Park): Gymnastics Royal Botanic Gardens Circuit: Cycling Road Race events State Lawn Bowls Centre: Lawn Bowls State Netball and Hockey Centre: Netball preliminaries and Hockey St Kilda: Triathlon and Cycling Time Trial Docklands Stadium: Rugby Sevens Regional and suburban venues Ballarat Ballarat Minerdome: Basketball Bendigo Bendigo Stadium: BasketballWellsford Rifle Range: Full Bore Shooting GeelongGeelong Arena: Basketball Lysterfield Park State Mountain Bike Course: Mountain Bike Cycling Traralgon Traralgon Sports Stadium: Basketball Cost Early concerns arose about the large cost of staging the event, with projected costs likely to be over AU$1 billion and a high likelihood the Victorian taxpayer would have to cover the expense. The cost was described in some local media as excessive. National Party leader Peter Ryan said that the Labor government should win "gold (medal) for burning money".https://www.theage.com.au/news/national/commonwealth-games-spending-within-budget/2006/09/14/1157827093063.html Commonwealth Games spending within budget - National - theage.com.au theage.com.au 15 September 2006 en 2018-05-02 However, not all of this money was wasted. The final costs for hosting the Games was AU$1.144 billion, and prior to the Games, accountants at KPMG were estimating that the gross income generated by this event could be as high as AU$1.5 billion. Athletes' village An athlete's village in the inner suburb of Parkville housed approximately 7,000 athletes and support staff during the Games, and has been transformed into commercial housing with a distinctly eco-friendly image. The creation of this village attracted controversy, with critics claiming it was created by alienating public parkland, while proponents maintained that it represented the renewal of an otherwise derelict inner-city area.2002-10-24 Battlelines drawn as Parkville site chosen https://www.theage.com.au/national/battlelines-drawn-as-parkville-site-chosen-20021024-gdupy8.html 2024-04-30 The Age en Development The change from Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time in Australian states that follow it was delayed from 26 March to 2 April in 2006 to avoid affecting the Games. In addition, state and private schools amended their usual term times to allow the first term holidays to coincide with the Games. https://web.archive.org/web/20050616111614/http://www.det.vic.gov.au/det/schooled/schooldates.htm 16 June 2005 Melbourne's public transport system – train, tram and bus – ran to altered timetables with some amended or substituted services for the duration of the Games. For the most part, timetabled services were unchanged but suffered due to higher loads.Public Transport https://web.archive.org/web/20121129125746/http://www.theage.com.au/news/commonwealth-games/the-city/2006/03/28/1143441133896.html 29 November 2012 For the first time ever, the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games appointed a Goodwill Partner, Plan International Australia.Plan Australia https://web.archive.org/web/20070119103845/http://www.plan.org.au/contents/aboutus/GoodwillPartner.asp 19 January 2007 Opening ceremony alt=|thumb|Fireworks at the Yarra River during the opening ceremony of the 2006 Commonwealth Games 2006 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony Both the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the Yarra River were centrepieces for the ceremony, which included many fireworks, and other spectacle. The Games were opened by Elizabeth II, in her capacity as Head of the Commonwealth. The Queen is also Head of State of a number of Commonwealth countries.2006-05-27 TheStar.com - Spectacular ceremony opens Commonwealth Games http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1142420587493&call_pageid=968332188492 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20060527033355/http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar%2FLayout%2FArticle_Type1&c=Article&cid=1142420587493&call_pageid=968332188492 27 May 2006 2020-01-15 Toronto Star Closing ceremony 2006 Commonwealth Games closing ceremony Both the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the Yarra River were again centrepieces for the ceremony. Samresh Jung of India was given the David Dixon Award at the closing ceremony. He was the "Best Athlete of the 18th Commonwealth Games". The games were closed by The Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward. Participating teams There were 71 countries, territories and bodies competing at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. https://web.archive.org/web/20050622090721/http://www.commonwealthgames.org.au/GamesInfo/UpcomingGames/2006/CompetingCountries.htm 22 June 2005 The only difference is the roster between the 2006 Games and the 2002 Games was the absence of Zimbabwe, which had withdrawn from the Commonwealth of Nations. thumb|Countries and places competing at the games|center|550x550px Participating Commonwealth countries and territories18em AIA 2006 6 ANT 2006 18 AUS 2006 312 (host) BAH 2006 28 BAN 2006 20 BAR 2006 21 BIZ 2006 8 BER 2006 18 BOT 2006 21 IVB 2006 5 BRU 2006 6 CMR 2006 29 CAN 2006 254 CAY 2006 17 COK 2006 32 CYP 2006 43 DMA 2006 6 ENG 2006 348 FAI 2006 6 FIJ 2006 52 GAM 2006 15 GHA 2006 36 GIB 2006 16 GRN 2006 7 GUE 2006 28 GUY 2006 21 IND 2006 198 IOM 2006 27 JAM 2006 85 JER 2006 35 KEN 2006 101 KIR 2006 15 LES 2006 29 MAW 2006 30 MAS 2006 170 MDV 2006 13 MLT 2006 35 MRI 2006 50 MNT 2006 3 MOZ 2006 19 NAM 2006 35 NRU 2006 10 NZL 2006 249 NGR 2006 124 NIU 2006 33 NFI 2006 9 NIR 2006 64 PAK 2006 53 PNG 2006 41 SHE 2006 4 SKN 2006 2 LCA 2006 9 SVG 2006 23 SAM 2006 51 SCO 2006 166 SEY 2006 22 SLE 2006 21 SIN 2006 63 SOL 2006 13 RSA 2006 250 SRI 2006 75 SWZ 2006 15 TAN 2006 22 TON 2006 22 TRI 2006 71 TCI 2006 6 TUV 2006 5 UGA 2006 41 VAN 2006 12 WAL 2006 143 ZAM 2006 23 Calendar OCOpening ceremony●Event competitions1Gold medal eventsCCClosing ceremony March15thWed16thThu17thFri18thSat19thSun20thMon21stTue22ndWed23rdThu24thFri25thSat26thSunEvents Ceremonies OC CC20px|alt=|link= Athletics | | | | | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |3 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |10 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |6 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |6 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |8 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |9 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |11 | | 5320px|alt=|link= Badminton | | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |1 | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |5 | 620px|alt=|link= Basketball | | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |1 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |1 | | | 220px|alt=|link= Boxing | | | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |11 | | 1120px|alt=|link= Cycling | | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |3 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |3 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |3 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |3 | | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |2 | | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |2 | | | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |2 | 1820px|alt=|link= Diving | | | | | | | | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |3 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |2 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |3 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |2 | | 1020px|alt=|link= Gymnastics | | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |1 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |1 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |2 | | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |5 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |5 | | | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |1 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |1 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |4 | 2420px|alt=|link= Field hockey | | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |2 | | | 220px|alt=|link= Netball | | | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |1 | 120px|alt=|link= Rugby sevens | | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |1 | | | | | | | | | | 120px|alt=|link= Shooting | | | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |6 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |4 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |6 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |5 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |4 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |5 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |5 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |3 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |2 | | 4020px|alt=|link= Squash | | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |2 | | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |3 | 520px|alt=|link= Swimming | | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |5 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |5 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |9 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |5 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |11 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |7 | | | | | | 4220px|alt=|link= Synchronised swimming | | | | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |2 | | | | | | | | 220px|alt=|link= Table tennis | | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |2 | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#3399ff;" |● | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |2 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |2 | 620px|alt=|link= Weightlifting | | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |2 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |2 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |2 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |2 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |2 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |2 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |2 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |1 | style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |1 | | | 16Daily medal Events | | 11 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 39 | 26 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 29 | 17 | 245Cumulative total | | 11 | 29 | 49 | 70 | 109 | 135 | 152 | 171 | 190 | 219 | 245 |March15thWed16thThu17thFri18thSat19thSun20thMon21stTue22ndWed23rdThu24thFri25thSat26thSunEvents Sports thumb|Melbourne Cricket Ground during the Games|alt= Events at the 2006 Commonwealth Games The 2006 Commonwealth Games included 17 sports, with 12 individual sports and 4 team sports. In total there are 245 events at the Games. 22em Aquatics Diving Swimming Synchronised swimming Athletics Badminton Basketball Boxing Cycling 20px Road 20px Track 20px Mountain biking Gymnastics 20px Artistic gymnastics 20px Rhythmic gymnastics Field hockey Lawn bowls Netball Rugby sevens Shooting Squash Table tennis Triathlon Weightlifting The athletics, swimming, table tennis and weightlifting sports included fully integrated events for elite athletes with a disability (EAD). These events were included in the official medal tally. Medal table 2006 Commonwealth Games medal table thumb|Leisel Jones won four gold medals in the swimming competition, sweeping the breaststroke events and the medley relay. AUS flaglink at the 2006 Commonwealth Games 84 70 67 yes 36 40 35 26 28 32 22 17 11 12 13 13 11 7 11 10 4 8 7 12 10 6 12 13 6 5 7 Broadcasting The host broadcaster was Trans World International, while the domestic rights-holding broadcaster was the Nine Network in Australia. They showed rolling coverage, except for a break for the evening news and overnight.https://www.sportcal.com/News/PressReleases/92961?sportID=137&size=50&sportID=137&size=50 TWI Wins Contract to Host Broadcast Commonwealth Games News Sportcal sportcal.com 2018-04-29 29 April 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180429160352/https://www.sportcal.com/News/PressReleases/92961?sportID=137&size=50&sportID=137&size=50 deadhttps://www.smh.com.au/news/tv--radio/nine-wins-sunday-with-games-closing-ceremony/2006/03/27/1143330968554.html Nine wins Sunday with Games closing ceremony - TV & Radio - Entertainment The Sydney Morning Herald 27 March 2006 en 2018-04-29 In Australia, Fox Sports broadcast the Games on eight dedicated digital Pay-TV channels. These were available on the Foxtel, Austar and Optus Vision networks. The BBC covered the Commonwealth Games in the United Kingdom on BBC One and BBC Two. BBCi included a choice of two extra video streams on Freeview and four streams on Digital Satellite and Cable.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/commonwealth_games/4719492.stm Melbourne coverage BBC 2006-03-01 2018-04-29 en-GB Users with broadband in the United Kingdom could also view all 5 video streams on bbc.co.uk, and the BBC Sport website. CBC, CBC Newsworld, and CBC Country Canada aired a daily one-hour highlights show of the Commonwealth Games in Canada.https://pedalmag.com/cbc-sports-commonwealth-games-schedule/ CBC Sports Commonwealth Games Schedule Pedal Magazine 2006-01-24 Pedal Magazine 2018-04-29 en-US Compared to past games, the CBC's coverage was minimally staffed, with commentary from other broadcasting partners. At first, they did not even consider bidding for the broadcasting rights2018-04-29 http://www.theage.com.au/news/Commonwealth-Games/Blow-to-Games-prestige/2005/03/24/1111525290735.html Blow to Games prestige - Commonwealth Games en theage.com.au 25 March 2005 due to scheduling conflicts with events Canadians are more interested in, such as the Tim Hortons Brier, World Figure Skating Championships, and the 2006 Winter Paralympics (which itself had been reduced to five-to-ten-minute daily coverage). None of Canada's metropolitan newspapers sent any journalists to report on the Games, instead relying on news agencies TVNZ covered the Games for the residents of New Zealand.https://www.sportcal.com/News/PressReleases/92848 TVNZ To Broadcast The Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games In New Zealand News Sportcal sportcal.com 2018-04-29 29 April 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180429155428/https://www.sportcal.com/News/PressReleases/92848 dead In Malaysia, TV1 broadcast live coverage of the Games for three hours starting at 10 am Malaysian time and for two hours starting at 3 pm, with highlights at 12:30 am. Satellite provider Astro included three dedicated channels to broadcast the Games live to its Sports package subscribers, in addition to delayed broadcast 24 hours later. Singapore's MediaCorp TV had supposedly not broadcast the games due to the high cost of telecast rights, satellite charges and the lack of sponsors. However, on 17 March, the MediaCorp found other sponsors which is the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports and the Singapore Sports Council. Broadcast started from 18 March until the end of the games. In India, Prasar Bharati broadcast the games on DD National and DD Sports. All India Radio broadcast the running commentary of the main matches and events.2018-04-29 https://www.exchange4media.com/TV/Prasar-Bharati-bags-broadcast-rights-for-2006-Commonwealth-Games_18979.html Prasar Bharati bags broadcast rights for 2006 Commonwealth Games Indian Advertising Media & Marketing News – exchange4media 14 December 2005 en-US In the United States, selected coverage was carried by Fox College Sports. In the Bahamas, Cable 12 on cable Bahamas broadcast the games.https://www.cablebahamas.com/cable-bahamas-brings-the-xviii-commonwealth-games-to-bahamians-on-cable-12/ Cable Bahamas brings the XVIII Commonwealth Games to Bahamians on Cable 12 cablebahamas 29 April 2018 29 April 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180429160101/https://www.cablebahamas.com/cable-bahamas-brings-the-xviii-commonwealth-games-to-bahamians-on-cable-12/ dead In Europe, coverage was carried by EBU members. Altogether, an estimated 4 billion viewers watched the 2006 Commonwealth Games worldwide. Marketing thumb|Qantas Airlines showcasing the logo of the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Logo The logo of the 2006 Commonwealth Games is an image of 2 figures, which represents sport and culture, achievement and excellence, while the colours green, yellow, and red represents celebratory, fresh and youthfully optimistic character of Melbourne city. The two figures in the logo joined to form a letter M, which is the initial letter of Melbourne, the games host city.http://m2006.thecgf.com/Media+Centre/Newsletter/Newsletter+Issue+6+June+2003.htm M2006 > Media Centre > Newsletter > Display 3 April 2018 3 April 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180403174824/http://m2006.thecgf.com/Media+Centre/Newsletter/Newsletter+Issue+6+June+2003.htm dead Mascot Karak (mascot) Karak was the mascot for the 2006 Commonwealth Games. He was modelled on a red-tailed black cockatoo, a threatened species within the host country, Australia.http://m2006.thecgf.com/Karak+the+Mascot/Karak+the+Mascot.htm mascot 3 April 2018 20 November 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081120094318/http://m2006.thecgf.com/Karak+the+Mascot/Karak+the+Mascot.htm deadhttp://m2006.thecgf.com/Media+Centre/Newsletter/Newsletter+Issue+7+April+2004.htm Games mascot unveiled 3 April 2018 3 April 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180403174110/http://m2006.thecgf.com/Media+Centre/Newsletter/Newsletter+Issue+7+April+2004.htm dead Sponsors Sponsors of the 2006 Commonwealth Gameshttp://m2006.thecgf.com/Getting+Involved/Sponsorship Sponsorship m2006.thecgf.com 2018-05-01 https://web.archive.org/web/20070917153205/http://m2006.thecgf.com/Getting+Involved/Sponsorship/ 2007-09-17 Partners 15em BHP Billiton Microsoft National Australia Bank Qantas Tabcorp Telstra Toyota Visa Inc. Sponsors 15em Australia Post Cadbury-Schweppes Carlton & United Breweries (Crown Lager) Coates Hire De Bortoli Wines Holmesglen Institute of TAFE Hudson Konica Minolta MLC Limited Omega SA Peters Ice Cream PricewaterhouseCoopers Royal Automobile Club of Victoria Triple M Woolworths Providers 15em Accor Allens Arthur Robinson Australian Project & Consulting Services Bytecraft Cisco City of Ballarat CityLink Cleanevent DB Schenker Dell Finsbury Green Printing Hard YakkaAugust 2026 HBA Health Insurance Interflora Melbourne Docklands Mistral Appliances Origin Energy Pacific Brands (Sleepmaker) Philips Medical Systems Pico Moreton Consortium Ramler Furniture Rehame Royal Australian Mint SCA (Tork) Snowhite Cleaning Services Ticketmaster TOWER Software Unilever (Rexona) Waterfront City Y&J Timber Flooring Controversies Missing athletes On 20 March 2006, it was reported that two athletes had gone missing from the Commonwealth Games village: Tanzanian boxer Omari Idd Kimweri and Bangladeshi runner Mohammad Tawhidul Islam.Ellen Whinnett http://heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,18556695%255E2862,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20070921164519/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,18556695-2862,00.html dead 21 September 2007 Mystery of missing athletes Herald Sun 22 March 2006 http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=sportsNews&storyID=2006-03-23T042811Z_01_SYD317188_RTRUKOC_0_US-COMMONWEALTH-MISSING.xml&archived=False Nine athletes vanish from Commonwealth Games Reuters 22 March 2006 September 2022 InternetArchiveBot yes July 2021 medicmedic On 22 March, it was reported that seven athletes from Sierra Leone (three women and four men) had also disappeared. A further seven Sierra Leonean athletes also went missing during the course of the Games, bringing the total runaway count to fourteen (two-thirds of the team). Victoria Police believed that they had fled to Sydney where the Sierra Leonean community is much larger than Melbourne's. Two hours before the closing ceremony on 26 March, officials from the Cameroon team reported to police that nine of their members had also vanished. These incidents were not without precedent: 27 athletes similarly disappeared from the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England (21 from Sierra Leone, 5 from Bangladesh and one from Pakistan), and over 80 athletes and officials overstayed their visas after the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4835826.stm Athletes 'go missing from Games' BBC News Online 23 March 2006 On request of Sierra Leone officials, the Commonwealth Games Federation cancelled those athletes' Games accreditation, allowing the Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) to cancel their visas at midnight on 27 March, and begin investigating their disappearance. At 7.20 am on that day, New South Wales Police located six of the Sierra Leonean athletes in a house at Freshwater, near Manly Beach in Sydney. All six indicated they wished to seek political asylum in Australia, and were granted bridging visas by DIMA while their refugee applications were arranged. The athletes claimed to have been subjected to violence and torture in their home country; seventeen-year-old Isha Conteh stated she could be forced into female genital cutting if she returned.ABC https://web.archive.org/web/20160306071745/http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2006/s1602299.htm 6 March 2016 On Tuesday 28 March, six further Sierra Leoneans turned themselves in to immigration authorities in Sydney and were also granted bridging visas.http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/visas-for-second-group-of-athletes/2006/03/28/1143441127017.html Visas for second group of athletes The Age 28 March 2006 Two of the missing Cameroonian athletes were later found in Perth, Western Australia.March 2026 The Stolenwealth Games The Stolenwealth Games were protests at the 1982 and 2006 Commonwealth Games. People were protesting because they believed that the Commonwealth Games led to the erasure of indigenous people.https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/apr/09/the-fight-never-left-stolenwealth-games-protesters-draw-on-long-tradition 'The fight never left': Stolenwealth Games protesters draw on long tradition Latimore Jack 2018-04-08 The Guardian en 2018-11-03http://blackgst.revolt.org/stolenwealth/ https://web.archive.org/web/20060319235724/http://blackgst.revolt.org/stolenwealth/ dead 2006-03-19 M2006 2006-03-19 2020-01-15 There were also problems with land rights. These protests led to the creation of the Global Indigenous Games. See also 2005 Summer Deaflympics Festival Melbourne2006 Commonwealth Games celebrated in Australia 1938 Commonwealth Games – Sydney 1962 Commonwealth Games – Perth 1982 Commonwealth Games – Brisbane 2018 Commonwealth Games – Gold Coast Commonwealth Youth Games celebrated in Australia 2004 Commonwealth Youth Games – Bendigo Olympic Games celebrated in Australia 1956 Summer Olympics – Melbourne 2000 Summer Olympics – Sydney 2032 Summer Olympics – Brisbane Paralympic Games celebrated in Australia 2000 Summer Paralympics – Sydney 2032 Summer Paralympics – Brisbane References External links "Melbourne 2006" https://web.archive.org/web/20180407120010/https://thecgf.com/games/melbourne-2006#introduction 7 April 2018 . Thecgf.com. Commonwealth Games Federation. "Results and Medalists—2006 Commonwealth Games" https://web.archive.org/web/20211027071829/https://thecgf.com/results/games/3026 27 October 2021 . Thecgf.com. Commonwealth Games Federation. "Official Website" https://web.archive.org/web/20060820125746/http://m2006.thecgf.com/Channels/ 20 August 2006 . M2006.thecgf.com. Melbourne 2006. Manchester Commonwealth GamesMelbourneXVIII Commonwealth Games Delhi Sports Australia Category:Commonwealth Games in Australia Category:International sports competitions in Melbourne Commonwealth Games Category:2006 in sport in Melbourne Category:March 2006 sports events in Australia Category:2006 in Victoria (state)