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Africa eyes 2014 C'wealth Games
6 July 2004
South Africa has thrown its weight behind Nigeria's bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
"Government will work with regional and continental bodies to ensure that Nigeria's bid in this regard succeeds," the Cabinet said in a statement last month.
The Commonwealth Games include global participation from Commonwealth member states worldwide. At the 2002 Games in Manchester, England, 72 countries from Africa, the Americas, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe and Oceania took part.
Athletes participated in 17 different sporting codes: aquatics, athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, hockey, judo, lawn bowls, netball, rugby sevens, shooting, squash, table tennis, triathlon, weightlifting and wrestling.
The Australian city of Melbourne hosts the 2006 Commonwealth Games from 15 to 26 March.
South Africa at the Games
South Africa first competed at the Commonwealth Games in Hamilton, Canada in 1930,
but was barred from 1958 to 1990 because of the country's apartheid policies.
At the 1998 Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the South African team won 34 medals, including nine golds.
At the 2002 Games in Manchester, South Africa picked up 46 medals, including nine golds. Australia topped the medals table with 206 in total, including 82 golds, while hosts England finished second with 165 medals, including 54 golds.
South African swimmer Natalie du Toit claimed a major honour in Manchester when she was presented with the first David Dixon award for outstanding athlete of the Games.
Du Toit, 18 years old at the time, set two world records and won gold in events for elite athletes with disability - and also made history when she contested the final of the 800 metres freestyle for able-bodied athletes.
More on SA at the Commonwealth Games 2002:
SouthAfrica.info reporter
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2010 Fifa World Cup SA - The world's biggest sporting event after the Olympic Games is coming to South Africa. 
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