<P> The 1994 Commonwealth Games were held in Victoria, in the province of British Columbia in Canada for the fourth time . The games marked South Africa's return to the Commonwealth Games following the apartheid era, and over 30 years since the country last competed in the Games in 1958 . Namibia made its Games debut . It was also Hong Kong's last appearance at the games before the transfer of sovereignty from Britain to China . Sixty - three nations sent 2,557 athletes and 914 officials . </P> <P> The 1998 Commonwealth Games were held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia . For the first time in its 68 - year history, the Commonwealth Games were held in Asia . The sixteenth games were also the first Games to feature team sports - an overwhelming success that added large numbers to both participant and TV audience numbers . A new record of 70 countries sent a total of 5,065 athletes and officials to the Kuala Lumpur Games . The top five countries in the medal standing were Australia, England, Canada, Malaysia and South Africa . Nauru also achieved an impressive haul of three gold medals . Cameroon, Mozambique and Kiribati debuted . </P> <P> The 2002 Commonwealth Games were held in Manchester, England . The 2002 Games were to be hosted in England to coincide with the Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II, head of the Commonwealth . In terms of sports and events, the 2002 Games were until the 2010 edition the largest Commonwealth Games in history featuring 281 events across 17 sports . The final medal tally was led by Australia, followed by host England and Canada . The 2002 Commonwealth Games set a new benchmark for hosting the Commonwealth Games and for cities wishing to bid for them with a heavy emphasis on legacy . </P> <P> The 2006 Commonwealth Games were held in Melbourne, Australia . The only difference between the 2006 games and the 2002 games was the absence of Zimbabwe, which withdrew from the Commonwealth of Nations . For the first time in the history of the Games the Queen's Baton visited every single Commonwealth nation and territory taking part in the Games, a journey of 180,000 km (112,500 miles). Over 4000 athletes took part in the sporting competitions . The final medal tally was led by the host Australia, followed by England and Canada . </P>

When did the current name of cwg start