There will be an equal number of medal events for men and women, as seven additional women’s events and categories across Weightlifting, Boxing and Cycling are confirmed on to the sports programme for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. “GC2018 will host the largest ever para-sport program, gender-equal medal events across the sport program. We hope this focus on inclusivity will prove to be one of the most outstanding 2018 Games’ legacies. This initiative supports the CGF’s vision for greater gender equality and I am confident that the precedent we establish for 2018 will augur well for future multi-sport events to emulate.” GOLDOC Chairman, Peter Beattie AC commented. The recent announcement – made by GC2018 Chairman Peter Beattie AC at the Commonwealth Games Federation’s Sports Summit in front of sporting leaders from 71 nations and territories of the Commonwealth – ensures that the next edition of the Games will have a 50/50 split of medal moments for men and women; a sporting first in the history of a major Games.




“I am delighted that GC2018 will be the first Commonwealth Games to contest equal medal events for men and women. This is such a positive move for all sports and I am particularly proud that this initiative will commence in my home-town on the Gold Coast in 2018, to be held up as a shining example for other events to follow.” Sally Pearson, Commonwealth Gold medallist and Gold Coast 2018 athlete ambassador commented.
“I applaud the Commonwealth Games Federation on this pioneering achievement for gender equality. In this year when we celebrate ‘An Inclusive Commonwealth’ the attainment at such a major international gathering as the Commonwealth Games of a level playing field for women speaks eloquently to the values of the Commonwealth Charter that bring together our nations and territories. Gender parity for athletes when competition begins on the Gold Coast in 2018 sends a potent message to young people throughout the Commonwealth that in sport, as in other spheres of social and economic activity, it is time for all to be accorded equality of opportunity to participate and fulfil their potential.” Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland commented “That the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will be the first major games to achieve gender equality in terms of medals awarded is a credit to the leadership of the Commonwealth Sports Movement. I hope others too can be encouraged to see sport as a catalyst for advancing inclusive and sustainable development. Sports organisations at all levels have a responsibility to lead by example in upholding the values and principles of equality and inclusiveness to participants and audiences.”

Commonwealth Games Gender Eqaulity Facts:

• At the very first Commonwealth Games in Hamilton in 1930, women competed in just seven medal events in Aquatics (Diving) and Aquatics (Swimming), accounting for 12 percent of the total medal events. The last edition of the Games in Glasgow in 2014 created the highest percentage of medal events for women (48.5%) of any major Games in history at the time. By comparison, women were able to compete in 46 per cent of the medal events at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games and 47 per cent at Melbourne 2006.

• Prior to the announcement, there were 268 medal events on the GC2018 sports programme, with a difference of 7 medal events between men and women; resulting in a comparison of 51.3% to 48.7% (137.5 medal events to 130.5).