2018 Commonwealth Games

 The 21st Commonwealth Games were in Gold Coast Australia (Queensland if you're wondering). They were from April 4-15. 71 nations, and 4426 athletes competed in 275 events in 18 sports. Charles, Prince of Wales opened the games,  Karen Murphy did the athletes oath and Sally Pearson was final baton runner. Carrara Stadium was main venue. 300 Para athletes were included in the athletes total. The Gambia 🇬🇲 was readmitted March 31 after withdrawing in 2013. Maldives 🇲🇻 withdrew from Commonwealth in 2016 and obviously didn't go.  Swaziland 🇸🇿 makes final appearance before being renamed as Eswatini. Judo wac dropped,  basketball readmitted, and womens rugby 7s and beach volleyball made debuts.  7 podium sweeps. Australia had six, Kenya had the 7th. 43 nations won a medal. Firsts had: 1. Solomon Islands won its first ever medal  - a bronze from Jenly Tegu Wini in womens 58kg weightlifting.  2. Cook Islands won its first ever medal  - a bronze from Taiki Paniani and Aidan Zittersteijn in mens pairs lawn bowls. 3. Vanuatu 🇻🇺 won its first ever medal - a bronze from Friana Kwivera in the Para womens javelin throw T46. 4. Dominica 🇩🇲 won its first two medals  - a bronze from Thea Lafond in womens triple jump and a silver from Yordanis Duranona Garcia in mens triple jump.  5. British Virgin Islands won its first ever medal  - a gold from Kyron McMaster in mens 400m hurdles. Saint Lucia 🇱🇨 won its first ever gold from Levern Spencer in womens high jump.  Australia was first in golds and overall (surprised?) with 78g, 59s, 59b for 196 total. England was 2nd in both with 45g, 45s, 46b for 136 total. India was 3rd in golds and 4th overall with 26g, 20s, 20b for 66 total. Canada was tied for 4th in gold and 3rd overall with 15g, 40s, 27b for 82 total. New Zealand was also tied for 4th in gold and 5th overall with 15g, 16s, 15b, for 46 total. Tomorrow is 2022 in Birmingham England. Here is the logo for 2018.