Friday at 8.30 a.m., as the sun rises over Birmingham, the Commonwealth Games will commence. Even in a competition with a small number of countries and famous athletes’ absences, there will be memorable performances and touching moments. Exceptional displays of athleticism will be supplemented by breakthroughs from people who rarely have the chance to shine in such grand settings.
It may be entertaining enough for some to forget the organization that the games represent.
Previously known as the British Empire Games, then the British Empire and Commonwealth Games, and finally the British Commonwealth Games. What was initially an event for Great Britain and its colonies is now a useful tool for Great Britain to divert attention away from its past ills, presenting itself as a more compassionate nation than other former imperial powers, the nation that dismantled its empire to become friends with former subjects.
The royal family, with Queen Elizabeth II still at the helm of the Commonwealth, is frequently portrayed as a gracious unifier of nations. A transition accomplished without ever properly addressing the enduring effects of slavery and colonialism in many of its member countries.
Wealth is not common. The vast majority of Commonwealth countries are former colonies, and 14 states outside of the United Kingdom are still officially ruled by the British royal family.
The interactions between nations are hierarchical and marked by significant power inequalities. Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are significantly more intriguing to the United Kingdom than any African or Caribbean nation.
Even since the last Commonwealth Games just four years ago, the world has changed to the point where the return of the Games to Great Britain is very noteworthy. So many Commonwealth nations are confronting and redefining their relationship with the United States on their terms.
Last year’s decision by Barbados to become a republic set off a chain reaction of change, with Jamaica, St. Kitts & Nevis, and Antigua and Barbuda all openly contemplating the prospect of doing the same.
The disastrous Platinum Jubilee royal trips only served to strengthen these opinions. During their March visit to Belize, Jamaica, and the Bahamas, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge accidentally drew attention to protesters and other residents attempting to expose the lingering damage colonialism has inflicted on their countries.
Others emphasized that the royal family’s wealth and opulence were built on the backs of their forefathers, allowing them to stroll around their own countries in comfort.
Then, a few months later, Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex toured Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Saint Lucia, with protests demanding acknowledgment, apologies, and compensation from Great Britain until they left.
Prince Edward answered with a pathetic quip and laughter when Gaston Browne, the prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, explained to him why they are seeking reparational support to alleviate the long-term repercussions of colonialism.
The treachery of the Windrush generation is still foremost in the minds of many. As the flags of Commonwealth nations flutter at Alexander Stadium, it will be difficult not to reflect on the treatment of former people of those countries and their descendants who were enticed to come to our shores for their talents and abilities.
The United Kingdom spent a significant portion of the 2010s attempting to deport them, even though they had established themselves and were living complete lives. It was far too late by the time the government amended portions of its brutal immigration policy, as many lives had already been irrevocably altered.
There are also other problems at play, such as the fact that more than half of the participating countries criminalize homosexuality, which will spark protests in Birmingham on Thursday.
These laws and attitudes were initially enacted by the United Kingdom; homophobia was introduced via colonization, becoming another aspect of Britain’s colonial legacy.
On the fields, in the pools, and on the track, the Commonwealth Games will flourish. There is always tension and danger in sports, regardless of whether they are played in front of a crowd or not; whether they are contested by a small, chosen group of nations or the entire world; and regardless of whether they are played with or without spectators.
There are also other good, unique characteristics, like the inclusion of competitors with disabilities, the gender balance in the medal events, and the feeling of camaraderie among the athletes.
However, the relevance of the Games has been questioned for some time now for a variety of reasons, including the expense of hosting such an event. The effects of this year’s version included the sudden relocation of homeless families residing in Birmingham hotels.
Due to the weight of history, its applicability should also be scrutinized. It is especially significant in Birmingham, which is home to a large number of African, Caribbean, and Asian immigrant groups that arrived from Commonwealth nations decades ago and have endured several reminders of the government’s view of their Britishness. It is impossible to separate the Commonwealth and its Games from the legacy of the British Empire, from which the Commonwealth grew.
