On August 18, 1994 the XV Commonwealth Games hosted in Victoria, B.C. was officially opened. Now, we turn to revisit and celebrate 30 years later.

The event ran from Aug. 18-28 and sixty-three nations sent 2,557 athletes and 914 officials. Australia headed the medals table whilst the hosts, Canada, pushed England into third place. Nigeria marked its arrival as a Commonwealth sporting force by picking up more gold medals than both New Zealand and India.Ten sports were featured at the Victoria Games – Athletics, Aquatics (Diving, Swimming & Synchronised Swimming), Badminton, Boxing, Cycling, Gymnastics, Lawn Bowls, Shooting, Weightlifting and Wrestling.

‘Spirit of the Games-1994’ (SOG) was produced by local community channels and cablecast on the Rogers Community network. The production team, including the four lively hosts, came from southern Vancouver Island and Vancouver. The series mission was to capture the ’Spirit of the Games’ as Victorians hosted their Commonwealth guests.

94Forward is the presenting partner and has helped with the costs of digitizing the original videotapes. 94Forward’s purpose is "to perpetuate the spirit of the 1994 Commonwealth Games legacy and its intention to fund and support the on-going development of high performance sport within the Capital Regional District.”

Rob Lowrie is a retired television producer, from Victoria, who hopes to share the magic of the 1994 Victoria Commonwealth Games which was clearly evident in this series.

We will be releasing the first of eleven 30 minute programs on the anniversary day of Sunday August 18th and subsequently each day following, in keeping with how the original series originally aired, finishing up on the 28th.

In addition to the 11 full pgms, the individual story segments from each show will be released each day to cater to a shorter viewing preference.

The full series will then reside on YouTube and will hopefully bring back memories of that very special time in Victoria. With the diverse international content these videos will hopefully reach an eventual Commonwealth audience as word spreads.

If interested please contact Rob Lowrie and/or John MacMillian at 94Forward.

Rob Lowrie: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

John MacMillian at 94Forward: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.