View source for 2006 Commonwealth Games

{{Short description|Multi-sport event in Melbourne, Australia}}
{{redirect|Melbourne Commonwealth Games|the withdrawn bid for the games in Melbourne and across Victoria|Victoria bid for the 2026 Commonwealth Games}}
{{Use Australian English|date=February 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox games
| name         = XVIII Commonwealth Games
| logo         = 2006 Commonwealth Games Logo.svg
| size         = 200px
| host_city    = [[Melbourne]], Australia
| caption      =
| nations      = 71<ref>The four [[Home Nations]] of the United Kingdom — England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — send separate teams to the Commonwealth Games, as do the three [[Crown dependency|Crown Dependencies]] — [[Jersey]], the [[Isle of Man]] and [[Guernsey]] — and 9 of the 14 [[British Overseas Territories]]. The [[Cook Islands]] and [[Niue]], non-sovereign territories in [[Associated state|free association]] with New Zealand also compete separately. There are thus 53 members of the [[Commonwealth of Nations]], but 71 competing teams at the Commonwealth Games.</ref>
| athletes     = 4071<ref>{{cite book|title=1911-2010 Australia at the Commonwealth Games: Delhi 2010 XIX Commonwealth Games 3-14 October|date=2010|publisher=Australian Commonwealth Games Association|location=Melbourne|isbn=978-0958019019|page=111}}</ref>
| events       = 245 in 17 sports
| opening      = 15 March 2006
| closing      = 26 March 2006
| opened_by    = [[Elizabeth II]]
| closed_by    = [[Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh|Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex]]
| athlete_oath = [[Adam Pine]]
| Queens_Baton = [[John Landy]]
| stadium      = [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]]
| motto        = ''United by the moment''
| previous     = [[2002 Commonwealth Games|XVII]]
| next         = [[2010 Commonwealth Games|XIX]] 
}}
{{2006 Commonwealth Games}}

The '''2006 Commonwealth Games''', officially the '''XVIII Commonwealth Games''' and commonly known as '''Melbourne 2006''', were an [[International sport|international]] [[multi-sport event]] for members of the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] held in [[Melbourne]], [[Australia]] between 15 and 26 March 2006. It was the fourth time Australia had hosted the Commonwealth Games. It was also the largest sporting event to be staged in Melbourne, eclipsing the [[1956 Summer Olympics]] in terms of the number of teams competing, [[Sportsperson|athletes]] competing, and events being held.

More than 4,000 athletes from 71 Commonwealth Games Associations took part in the event.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/games/melbourne-2006|title=Melbourne 2006|website=Commonwealth Games Federation|language=en|access-date=2018-05-01|archive-date=7 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407120010/https://thecgf.com/games/melbourne-2006|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Zimbabwe]] withdrew its membership from the [[Commonwealth of Nations]] and [[Commonwealth Games Federation]] on 8 December 2003 and so did not participate in the event.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/zimbabwe/1448864/Zimbabwe-quits-Commonwealth-over-suspension.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/zimbabwe/1448864/Zimbabwe-quits-Commonwealth-over-suspension.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Zimbabwe quits Commonwealth over suspension |first=Anton |last=La Guardia |journal=Daily Telegraph |date=2003-12-08|access-date=2018-05-01|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}}</ref> With 245 sets of medals, the games featured 17 [[Commonwealth Sports|Commonwealth sports]]. These sporting events took place at 13 venues in the host city, two venues in [[Bendigo]] and one venue each in [[Ballarat]], [[Geelong]], [[Lysterfield Park]] and [[Traralgon]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://m2006.thecgf.com/Sports+and+Venues/Venue+Statistics/|title=M2006 > Sports and Venues > Venue Statistics|website=m2006.thecgf.com|access-date=2018-05-01}}</ref>

The site for the opening and closing ceremonies was the [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]], which was also used during the 1956 Olympics.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://m2006.thecgf.com/Sports+and+Venues/Venue+Locations/By+Venue/Melbourne+Cricket+Ground+(MCG)/|title=M2006 > Sports and Venues > Venue Locations > Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)|website=m2006.thecgf.com|access-date=2018-05-01}}</ref> The [[mascot]] for the games was [[Karak (mascot)|Karak]], a [[red-tailed black cockatoo]] (a [[threatened species]]).<ref>[http://www.melbourne2006.com.au/Karak+the+Mascot/Karak+the+Mascot.htm M2006 > Karak the Mascot > Display]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060627093001/http://www.melbourne2006.com.au/Karak%2Bthe%2BMascot/Karak%2Bthe%2BMascot.htm |date=27 June 2006 }}</ref> The official song of the games, "[[Together We Are One]]", was composed by the [[ARIA Music Awards|ARIA]] awardee Australian recording artist [[Delta Goodrem]]. During the closing ceremony of the games, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation Mike Fennell declared to the crowd "Melbourne, you are simply the best".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/Melburnians-celebrate-at-Games-close/2006/03/26/1143330933415.html|title=Games farewelled with spectacular party|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=26 March 2006 |language=en|access-date=2018-05-02}}</ref>

For the first time in the history of the [[Commonwealth Games]], the Queen's Baton visited every single Commonwealth nation and territory taking part in the Games, a journey of {{convert|180000|km|miles}}. The relay ended when the Governor of Victoria, and former Commonwealth Games medallist, John Landy delivered the baton to Her Majesty the Queen at the Melbourne Cricket Ground during the opening ceremony.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://qbr.m2006.thecgf.com/?s=qbr|title=M2006 > Queen's Baton Relay|website=qbr.m2006.thecgf.com|language=en|access-date=2018-05-01}}</ref>

The host nation Australia topped the medal table for the fifth time in the past five Commonwealth Games, winning the most golds (84) and most medals overall (221). [[England at the 2018 Commonwealth Games|England]] and Canada finished second and third respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://m2006.thecgf.com/Schedule+and+Results/Medals|title=M2006 > Schedule and Results > Medals|website=m2006.thecgf.com|access-date=2018-05-01}}</ref>

The 2006 Commonwealth Games have been lauded as “best Commonwealth Games ever”.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Deery |first1=Shannon |last2=Johnston |first2=Matt |title=Melbourne last hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2006 in an event which has been dubbed the "best Commonwealth Games ever". |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/victoria-edges-closer-to-sealing-commonwealth-games-for-2026/news-story/c01e965c83b3cacad46e0a339ab62300 |access-date=1 February 2022 |work=Herald Sun |publisher=News Corp}}</ref> A KPMG analysis of 2006 Commonwealth Games found the event prompted an increase in gross state product of about [[Australian dollar|A$]]1.6 billion over a 20-year period and employment of about 13,600 jobs.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mackay |first1=Duncan |title=Victoria bid for 2026 Commonwealth Games set to be launched "this week" |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1118573/victoria-bid-for-2026-commonwealth-games |website=Inside The Games |date=31 January 2022 |access-date=1 February 2022}}</ref>

==Host selection==
[[File:Melbourne CBD 2008.jpg|thumb|Melbourne was selected by the [[Australian Commonwealth Games Association]] as the official bid city from Australia for the 2006 Commonwealth Games|left]]
Having previously hosted the 1956 Olympics, [[Melbourne]] has hosted world sporting events such as the [[1979 World Fencing Championships]]. The city made a bid to host the [[1996 Summer Olympics]], but was unsuccessful in its bid to [[Atlanta]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Catalano |first=Kate Cole-Adams, David Porter, Kevin Childs and Antony |date=2019-09-17 |title=From the Archives: Disappointment turns to anger as Melbourne loses Olympic bid |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/from-the-archives-disappointment-turns-to-anger-as-melbourne-loses-olympic-bid-20190917-p52s55.html |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref> Following the failure of the Olympic bid, the city would later make plans to host the Commonwealth Games. During the [[1998 Commonwealth Games]] in [[Kuala Lumpur]], [[Malaysia]], two cities initially expressed interest in hosting the event; Melbourne, Australia and [[Wellington]], New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wellington Bid To Host The 2006 Commonwealth Games|url=http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/wellington-bid-host-2006-commonwealth-games|access-date=2021-04-22|website=The Beehive|language=en}}</ref> [[Wellington]] withdrew its bid, citing the costs involved with matching the bid plan presented by Melbourne, which became the default host without members of the Federation going to vote.<ref>{{cite news|title=COMMONWEALTH GAMES: Melbourne looks set to host 2006 Commonwealth Games|work=The Independent|date=1999-04-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Sports around the World: History, Culture, and Practice|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BVnDEAAAQBAJ|editor-last1=Nauright|editor-first1=John|editor-last2=Parrish|editor-first2= Charles |page=371|date=2012|publisher=ABC-CLIO| isbn=9781598843002 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2001-09-27|title=MELBOURNE HOPES FOR 2006 COMMONWEALTH GAMES|url=https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/melbourne-hopes-for-2006-commonwealth-games/|access-date=2021-04-22|website=SportBusiness|language=en-US}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+2006 Commonwealth Games bidding results
|-
!City
!Nation
!Votes
|-
|'''[[Melbourne]]'''
|'''{{Flag|Australia}}'''
| style="text-align: center" |'''Unanimous'''
|}

== Preparation and development ==
[[File:Mcg melb.JPG|thumb|[[Melbourne Cricket Ground]]]]

=== Venues ===
The following venues were used at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. The sport(s) that were played at that venue are listed after it.<ref name=":0" />

====Melbourne venues====
[[File:Olympic Swimming Pool.JPG|right|thumb|[[Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre]]]]
[[File:MelbourneExhibitionCentre.jpg|thumb|[[Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre]]]]
[[File:The HiSense Arena (6760312239).jpg|thumb|[[Hisense Arena|Multi Purpose Venue (Melbourne Park)]]]]
[[File:Telstradomeaerial.JPG|thumb|[[Docklands Stadium]]]]
* [[Melbourne Docklands|Docklands Precinct]]: Walks and Marathon 
* [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]]: Opening and Closing Ceremonies, and Athletics (Track and Field)
* [[Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre]]: Badminton, Boxing and Weightlifting
* Melbourne Gun Club: Clay Target Shooting
* Melbourne International Shooting Club: Small Bore and Pistol Shooting
* [[Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre]]: Aquatics, Squash and Table tennis
*[[Hisense Arena|Multi Purpose Venue (Melbourne Park)]]: Basketball Finals, Track Cycling and Netball Finals
* [[Rod Laver Arena]] ([[Melbourne Park]]): Gymnastics
* [[Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne|Royal Botanic Gardens]] Circuit: Cycling Road Race events
* State Lawn Bowls Centre: Lawn Bowls
* [[State Netball and Hockey Centre]]: Netball preliminaries and Hockey
* [[St Kilda, Victoria|St Kilda]]: Triathlon and Cycling Time Trial
* [[Docklands Stadium]]: Rugby 7s

====Regional and suburban venues====
; [[Ballarat]]: [[WIN Minerdome|Ballarat Minerdome]]: Basketball
; [[Bendigo]]: [[Schweppes Centre|Bendigo Stadium]]: Basketball<br />Wellsford Rifle Range: Full Bore Shooting
; [[Geelong]]:[[Geelong Arena]]: Basketball
; [[Lysterfield Park]]: State Mountain Bike Course: Mountain Bike Cycling
; [[Traralgon]]: [[Traralgon Sports Stadium]]: Basketball

=== Cost ===
Early concerns arose about the large cost of staging the event, with projected costs likely to be over AUD 1 billion and a high likelihood the Victorian taxpayer would have to cover the expense. The cost was described in some local media as excessive. [[National Party of Australia|National Party]] leader [[Peter Ryan (politician)|Peter Ryan]] said that the Labor government should win "gold (medal) for burning money".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/news/national/commonwealth-games-spending-within-budget/2006/09/14/1157827093063.html|title=Commonwealth Games spending within budget - National - theage.com.au|website=theage.com.au|date=15 September 2006 |language=en|access-date=2018-05-02}}</ref> However, not all of this money was wasted. The actual costs for hosting the games was AUD 1.144 billion and prior to the Games, accountants at [[KPMG]] were estimating that the gross income generated by this event could be as high as AUD 1.5 billion.

=== Athletes' village ===
An athlete's village in the inner suburb of [[Parkville, Victoria|Parkville]] housed approximately 7,000 athletes and support staff during the Games, and has been transformed into commercial housing with a distinctly eco-friendly image. The creation of this village attracted controversy, with critics claiming it was created by alienating public parkland, while proponents maintained that it represented the renewal of an otherwise derelict inner-city area.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-10-24 |title=Battlelines drawn as Parkville site chosen |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/battlelines-drawn-as-parkville-site-chosen-20021024-gdupy8.html |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=The Age |language=en}}</ref>

=== Development ===
The change from [[Daylight Saving Time]] to Standard Time in Australian states that follow it was delayed from 26 March to 2 April for 2006 to avoid affecting the games. In addition, state and private schools amended their usual term times so as to allow the first term holidays to coincide with the Games.<ref>[http://www.det.vic.gov.au/det/schooled/schooldates.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050616111614/http://www.det.vic.gov.au/det/schooled/schooldates.htm|date=16 June 2005}}</ref> 

Melbourne's public transport system – train, tram and bus – ran to altered timetables with some amended or substituted services for the duration of the Games. For the most part, timetabled services were unchanged but suffered due to higher loads.<ref>[http://www.theage.com.au/news/commonwealth-games/the-city/2006/03/28/1143441133896.html Public Transport] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121129125746/http://www.theage.com.au/news/commonwealth-games/the-city/2006/03/28/1143441133896.html |date=29 November 2012 }}</ref>

For the first time ever, the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games appointed a Goodwill Partner, [[Plan (aid organisation)|Plan International Australia]].<ref>[http://www.plan.org.au/contents/aboutus/GoodwillPartner.asp Plan Australia] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070119103845/http://www.plan.org.au/contents/aboutus/GoodwillPartner.asp |date=19 January 2007 }}</ref>

===Opening ceremony===
[[File:Yarra River Fireworks.jpeg|alt=|thumb|Fireworks at the [[Yarra River]] during the opening ceremony of the 2006 Commonwealth Games]]
{{main|2006 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony}}

Both the [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]] and the [[Yarra River]] were centrepieces for the ceremony, which included many fireworks, and other spectacle. The Games were opened by [[Elizabeth II]], in her capacity as [[Head of the Commonwealth]]. The Queen is also [[Head of State]] of a number of Commonwealth countries.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-05-27 |title=TheStar.com - Spectacular ceremony opens Commonwealth Games |url=http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1142420587493&call_pageid=968332188492 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060527033355/http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar%2FLayout%2FArticle_Type1&c=Article&cid=1142420587493&call_pageid=968332188492 |archive-date=27 May 2006 |access-date=2020-01-15 |website=[[Toronto Star]]}}</ref>

=== Closing ceremony ===

{{main|2006 Commonwealth Games closing ceremony}}

Both the [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]] and the [[Yarra River]] were again centrepieces for the ceremony. [[Samresh Jung]] of India was given the [[David Dixon Award]] at the closing ceremony. He was the "Best Athlete of the 18th Commonwealth Games". The games were closed by [[:wikinews:Prince closes XVIII Commonwealth Games|The Earl of Wessex]], Prince Edward.

== Participating teams ==
There were 71 countries, territories and bodies competing at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.<ref>[http://www.commonwealthgames.org.au/GamesInfo/UpcomingGames/2006/CompetingCountries.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050622090721/http://www.commonwealthgames.org.au/GamesInfo/UpcomingGames/2006/CompetingCountries.htm|date=22 June 2005}}</ref> The only difference is the roster between the 2006 games and the [[2002 Commonwealth Games|2002 games]] was the absence of [[Zimbabwe]], which had withdrawn from the [[Commonwealth of Nations]].
[[Image:Commonwealth games 2006 countries map.PNG|thumb|Countries and places competing at the games|center|550x550px]]
{| class="wikitable collapsible" style="width:100%;"
|-
! Participating Commonwealth countries and territories
|-
|
{{Div col|colwidth=18em}}
* {{flagCGF|AIA|2006|6}}
* {{flagCGF|ANT|2006|18}}
* {{flagCGF|AUS|2006|312}} '''(host)'''
* {{flagCGF|BAH|2006|28}}
* {{flagCGF|BAN|2006|20}}
* {{flagCGF|BAR|2006|21}}
* {{flagCGF|BIZ|2006|8}}
* {{flagCGF|BER|2006|18}} 
* {{flagCGF|BOT|2006|21}}
* {{flagCGF|IVB|2006|5}}
* {{flagCGF|BRU|2006|6}}
* {{flagCGF|CMR|2006|29}}
* {{flagCGF|CAN|2006|254}}
* {{flagCGF|CAY|2006|17}}
* {{flagCGF|COK|2006|32}}
* {{flagCGF|CYP|2006|43}}
* {{flagCGF|DMA|2006|6}}
* {{flagCGF|ENG|2006|348}}
* {{flagCGF|FAI|2006|6}}
* {{flagCGF|FIJ|2006|52}}
* {{flagCGF|GAM|2006|15}}
* {{flagCGF|GHA|2006|36}}
* {{flagCGF|GIB|2006|16}}
* {{flagCGF|GRN|2006|7}}
* {{flagCGF|GUE|2006|28}}
* {{flagCGF|GUY|2006|21}}
* {{flagCGF|IND|2006|198}}
* {{flagCGF|IOM|2006|27}}
* {{flagCGF|JAM|2006|85}}
* {{flagCGF|JER|2006|35}}
* {{flagCGF|KEN|2006|101}}
* {{flagCGF|KIR|2006|15}}
* {{flagCGF|LES|2006|29}}
* {{flagCGF|MAW|2006|30}}
* {{flagCGF|MAS|2006|170}}
* {{flagCGF|MDV|2006|13}}
* {{flagCGF|MLT|2006|35}}
* {{flagCGF|MRI|2006|50}}
* {{flagCGF|MNT|2006|3}}
* {{flagCGF|MOZ|2006|19}}
* {{flagCGF|NAM|2006|35}}
* {{flagCGF|NRU|2006|10}}
* {{flagCGF|NZL|2006|249}}
* {{flagCGF|NGR|2006|124}}
* {{flagCGF|NIU|2006|33}}
* {{flagCGF|NFI|2006|9}}
* {{flagCGF|NIR|2006|64}}
* {{flagCGF|PAK|2006|53}}
* {{flagCGF|PNG|2006|41}}
* {{flagCGF|SHE|2006|4}}
* {{flagCGF|SKN|2006|2}}
* {{flagCGF|LCA|2006|9}}
* {{flagCGF|SVG|2006|23}}
* {{flagCGF|SAM|2006|51}}
* {{flagCGF|SCO|2006|166}}
* {{flagCGF|SEY|2006|22}}
* {{flagCGF|SLE|2006|21}}
* {{flagCGF|SIN|2006|63}}
* {{flagCGF|SOL|2006|13}}
* {{flagCGF|RSA|2006|250}}
* {{flagCGF|SRI|2006|75}}
* {{flagCGF|SWZ|2006|15}}
* {{flagCGF|TAN|2006|22}}
* {{flagCGF|TON|2006|22}}
* {{flagCGF|TRI|2006|71}}
* {{flagCGF|TCI|2006|6}}
* {{flagCGF|TUV|2006|5}}
* {{flagCGF|UGA|2006|41}}
* {{flagCGF|VAN|2006|12}}
* {{flagCGF|WAL|2006|143}}
* {{flagCGF|ZAM|2006|23}}
{{div col end}}
|}

== Calendar ==
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em auto; font-size:90%;position:relative;"
|-
| style="width:2.5em; background:#00cc33; text-align:center" |'''OC'''||Opening ceremony
| style="width:2.5em; background:#3399ff; text-align:center" |●||Event competitions
| style="width:2.5em; background:#ffcc00; text-align:center" |'''1'''||Gold medal events
| style="width:2.5em; background:#ee3333; text-align:center" |'''CC'''||Closing ceremony
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em auto; font-size:90%; line-height:1.25em;"
|-
! colspan="2" |March
! style="width:2.5em" |15th<br />Wed
! style="width:2.5em" |16th<br />Thu
! style="width:2.5em" |17th<br />Fri
! style="width:2.5em" |18th<br />Sat
! style="width:2.5em" |19th<br />Sun
! style="width:2.5em" |20th<br />Mon
! style="width:2.5em" |21st<br />Tue
! style="width:2.5em" |22nd<br />Wed
! style="width:2.5em" |23rd<br />Thu
! style="width:2.5em" |24th<br />Fri
! style="width:2.5em" |25th<br />Sat
! style="width:2.5em" |26th<br />Sun
!Events
|-
| colspan="2" | Ceremonies || style="background-color:#00cc33;text-align:center;" |'''OC'''|| || || || || || || || || || || style="background-color:#ee3333;text-align:center;" |'''CC'''||
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" |[[Image:Athletics_pictogram.svg|20px|alt=|link=]] [[Athletics at the 2006 Commonwealth Games|Athletics]]
<!-- 15 -->|
<!-- 16 -->|
<!-- 17 -->|
<!-- 18 -->|
<!-- 19 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''3'''
<!-- 20 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''10'''
<!-- 21 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''6'''
<!-- 22 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''6'''
<!-- 23 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''8'''
<!-- 24 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''9'''
<!-- 25 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''11'''
<!-- 26 -->|
<!--  T -->| '''53'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" |[[Image:Badminton_pictogram.svg|20px|alt=|link=]] [[Badminton at the 2006 Commonwealth Games|Badminton]]
<!-- 15 -->|
<!-- 16 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 17 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 18 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 19 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 20 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''1'''
<!-- 21 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 22 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 23 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 24 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 25 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 26 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''5'''
<!--  T -->| '''6'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" |[[Image:Basketball_pictogram.svg|20px|alt=|link=]] [[Basketball at the 2006 Commonwealth Games|Basketball]]
<!-- 15 -->|
<!-- 16 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 17 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 18 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 19 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 20 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 21 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 22 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 23 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''1'''
<!-- 24 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''1'''
<!-- 25 -->|
<!-- 26 -->|
<!--  T -->| '''2'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" |[[Image:Boxing_pictogram.svg|20px|alt=|link=]] [[Boxing at the 2006 Commonwealth Games|Boxing]]
<!-- 15 -->|
<!-- 16 -->|
<!-- 17 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 18 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 19 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 20 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 21 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 22 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 23 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 24 -->|
<!-- 25 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''11'''
<!-- 26 -->|
<!--  T -->| '''11'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" |[[Image:Cycling (road)_pictogram.svg|20px|alt=|link=]] [[Cycling at the 2006 Commonwealth Games|Cycling]]
<!-- 15 -->|
<!-- 16 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''3'''
<!-- 17 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''3'''
<!-- 18 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''3'''
<!-- 19 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''3'''
<!-- 20 -->|
<!-- 21 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''2'''
<!-- 22 -->|
<!-- 23 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''2'''
<!-- 24 -->|
<!-- 25 -->|
<!-- 26 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''2'''
<!--  T -->| '''18'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" |[[Image:Diving_pictogram.svg|20px|alt=|link=]] [[Diving at the 2006 Commonwealth Games|Diving]]
<!-- 15 -->|
<!-- 16 -->|
<!-- 17 -->|
<!-- 18 -->|
<!-- 19 -->|
<!-- 20 -->|
<!-- 21 -->|
<!-- 22 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''3'''
<!-- 23 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''2'''
<!-- 24 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''3'''
<!-- 25 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''2'''
<!-- 26 -->|
<!--  T -->| '''10'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" |[[Image:Gymnastics (artistic)_pictogram.svg|20px|alt=|link=]] [[Gymnastics at the 2006 Commonwealth Games|Gymnastics]]
<!-- 15 -->|
<!-- 16 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''1'''
<!-- 17 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''1'''
<!-- 18 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''2'''
<!-- 19 -->|
<!-- 20 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''5'''
<!-- 21 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''5'''
<!-- 22 -->|
<!-- 23 -->|
<!-- 24 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''1'''
<!-- 25 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''1'''
<!-- 26 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''4'''
<!--  T -->| '''24'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" |[[Image:Field hockey_pictogram.svg|20px|alt=|link=]] [[Field hockey at the 2006 Commonwealth Games|Field hockey]]
<!-- 15 -->|
<!-- 16 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 17 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 18 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 19 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 20 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 21 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 22 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 23 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 24 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''2'''
<!-- 25 -->|
<!-- 26 -->|
<!--  T -->| '''2'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" |[[Image:Netball_pictogram.svg|20px|alt=|link=]] [[Netball at the 2006 Commonwealth Games|Netball]]
<!-- 15 -->|
<!-- 16 -->|
<!-- 17 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 18 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 19 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 20 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 21 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 22 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 23 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 24 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 25 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 26 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''1'''
<!--  T -->| '''1'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" |[[File:Rugby sevens pictogram.svg|20px|alt=|link=]] [[Rugby sevens at the 2006 Commonwealth Games|Rugby sevens]]
<!-- 15 -->|
<!-- 16 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 17 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''1'''
<!-- 18 -->|
<!-- 19 -->|
<!-- 20 -->|
<!-- 21 -->|
<!-- 22 -->|
<!-- 23 -->|
<!-- 24 -->|
<!-- 25 -->|
<!-- 26 -->|
<!--  T -->| '''1'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" |[[Image:Shooting_pictogram.svg|20px|alt=|link=]] [[Shooting at the 2006 Commonwealth Games|Shooting]]
<!-- 15 -->|
<!-- 16 -->|
<!-- 17 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''6'''
<!-- 18 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''4'''
<!-- 19 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''6'''
<!-- 20 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''5'''
<!-- 21 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''4'''
<!-- 22 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''5'''
<!-- 23 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''5'''
<!-- 24 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''3'''
<!-- 25 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''2'''
<!-- 26 -->|
<!--  T -->| '''40'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" |[[Image:Squash_pictogram.svg|20px|alt=|link=]] [[Squash at the 2006 Commonwealth Games|Squash]]
<!-- 15 -->|
<!-- 16 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 17 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 18 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 19 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 20 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''2'''
<!-- 21 -->|
<!-- 22 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 23 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 24 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 25 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 26 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''3'''
<!--  T -->| '''5'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" |[[Image:Swimming_pictogram.svg|20px|alt=|link=]] [[Swimming at the 2006 Commonwealth Games|Swimming]]
<!-- 15 -->|
<!-- 16 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''5'''
<!-- 17 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''5'''
<!-- 18 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''9'''
<!-- 19 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''5'''
<!-- 20 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''11'''
<!-- 21 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''7'''
<!-- 22 -->|
<!-- 23 -->|
<!-- 24 -->|
<!-- 25 -->|
<!-- 26 -->|
<!--  T -->| '''42'''
|-
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" |[[Image:Synchronized swimming pictogram.svg|20px|alt=|link=]] [[Synchronised Swimming at the 2006 Commonwealth Games|Synchronised swimming]]
<!-- 15 -->|
<!-- 16 -->|
<!-- 17 -->|
<!-- 18 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 19 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''2'''
<!-- 20 -->|
<!-- 21 -->|
<!-- 22 -->|
<!-- 23 -->|
<!-- 24 -->|
<!-- 25 -->|
<!-- 26 -->|
<!--  T -->| '''2'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" |[[Image:Table tennis_pictogram.svg|20px|alt=|link=]] [[Table tennis at the 2006 Commonwealth Games|Table tennis]]
<!-- 15 -->|
<!-- 16 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 17 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 18 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 19 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 20 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''2'''
<!-- 21 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 22 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 23 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 24 -->| style="background-color:#3399ff;" |●
<!-- 25 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''2'''
<!-- 26 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''2'''
<!--  T -->| '''6'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" |[[Image:Weightlifting_pictogram.svg|20px|alt=|link=]] [[Weightlifting at the 2006 Commonwealth Games|Weightlifting]]
<!-- 15 -->|
<!-- 16 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''2'''
<!-- 17 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''2'''
<!-- 18 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''2'''
<!-- 19 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''2'''
<!-- 20 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''2'''
<!-- 21 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''2'''
<!-- 22 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''2'''
<!-- 23 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''1'''
<!-- 24 -->| style="background-color:#ffcc00;" |'''1'''
<!-- 25 -->|
<!-- 26 -->|
<!--  T -->| '''16'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan="2" |'''Daily medal Events'''
<!-- 15 -->|
<!-- 16 -->| '''11'''
<!-- 17 -->| '''18'''
<!-- 18 -->| '''20'''
<!-- 19 -->| '''21'''
<!-- 20 -->| '''39'''
<!-- 21 -->| '''26'''
<!-- 22 -->| '''17'''
<!-- 23 -->| '''19'''
<!-- 24 -->| '''19'''
<!-- 25 -->| '''29'''
<!-- 26 -->| '''17'''
<!-- T -->| '''245'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan="2" |'''Cumulative total'''
<!-- 15 -->|
<!-- 16 -->| '''11'''
<!-- 17 -->| '''29'''
<!-- 18 -->| '''49'''
<!-- 19 -->| '''70'''
<!-- 20 -->| '''109'''
<!-- 21 -->| '''135'''
<!-- 22 -->| '''152'''
<!-- 23 -->| '''171'''
<!-- 24 -->| '''190'''
<!-- 25 -->| '''219'''
<!-- 26 -->| '''245'''
<!-- 26 -->|
|-
! colspan="2" |March!!15th<br />Wed!!16th<br />Thu!!17th<br />Fri!!18th<br />Sat!!19th<br />Sun!!20th<br />Mon!!21st<br />Tue!!22nd<br />Wed!!23rd<br />Thu!!24th<br />Fri!!25th<br />Sat!!26th<br />Sun!!Events
|}

== Sports ==
[[File:MSC, 2006 Commonwealth Games.jpg|thumb|[[Melbourne Cricket Ground]] during the Games|alt=]]
{{main|Events at the 2006 Commonwealth Games}}
The 2006 Commonwealth Games included 17 sports, with 12 individual sports and 4 team sports. In total there are 245 events at the Games.

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*{{GamesSport|Aquatics}}
** [[File:Diving pictogram.svg|20px]] [[Diving (sport)|Diving]]
** [[File:Swimming pictogram.svg|20px]] Swimming
** [[File:Synchronized swimming pictogram.svg|20px]] [[Synchronized swimming]]
*{{GamesSport|Athletics}}
*{{GamesSport|Badminton}}
*{{GamesSport|Basketball}}
*{{GamesSport|Boxing}}
*{{GamesSport|Cycling}}
** [[File:Cycling (road) pictogram.svg|20px]] [[Road bicycle racing|Road]]
** [[File:Cycling (track) pictogram.svg|20px]] [[Track cycling|Track]]
** [[File:Cycling (mountain biking) pictogram.svg|20px]] [[Mountain biking]]
*{{GamesSport|Gymnastics}}
** [[File:Gymnastics (artistic) pictogram.svg|20px]] [[Artistic gymnastics]]
** [[File:Gymnastics (rhythmic) pictogram.svg|20px]] [[Rhythmic gymnastics]]
*{{GamesSport|Field hockey}}
*{{GamesSport|Lawn bowls}}
*{{GamesSport|Netball}}
*{{GamesSport|Rugby sevens}}
*{{GamesSport|Shooting}}
*{{GamesSport|Squash}}
*{{GamesSport|Table tennis}}
*{{GamesSport|Triathlon }}
*{{GamesSport|Weightlifting }}
{{div col end}}
The athletics, swimming, table tennis and weightlifting sports included fully integrated events for elite [[disabled sports|athletes with a disability]] (EAD). These events were included in the official medal tally.

==Medal table==
{{main|2006 Commonwealth Games medal table}}

[[Image:2008 Australian Olympic team Leisel Jones - Sarah Ewart.jpg|thumb|[[Leisel Jones]] won four gold medals in the swimming competition, sweeping the breaststroke events and the medley relay.]]
{{Medals table
 | caption       = 
 | host          = AUS
 | flag_template = flaglink
 | event         = at the 2006 Commonwealth Games
 | team          = 
 | gold_AUS      = 84 | silver_AUS = 69 | bronze_AUS = 69 | host_AUS = yes
 | gold_ENG      = 36 | silver_ENG = 40 | bronze_ENG = 34
 | gold_CAN      = 26 | silver_CAN = 29 | bronze_CAN = 31
 | gold_IND      = 22 | silver_IND = 17 | bronze_IND = 11
 | gold_RSA      = 12 | silver_RSA = 13 | bronze_RSA = 13
 | gold_SCO      = 11 | silver_SCO = 7 | bronze_SCO = 11
 | gold_JAM      = 10 | silver_JAM = 4 | bronze_JAM = 8
 | gold_MAS      = 7 | silver_MAS = 12 | bronze_MAS = 10
 | gold_NZL      = 6 | silver_NZL = 12 | bronze_NZL = 14
 | gold_KEN      = 6 | silver_KEN = 5 | bronze_KEN = 7
}}

== Broadcasting ==

* The host broadcaster was [[Trans World International]], while the domestic rights-holding broadcaster was the [[Nine Network]] in Australia. They showed rolling coverage, except for a break for the [[Nine News|evening news]] and overnight.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportcal.com/News/PressReleases/92961?sportID=137&size=50&sportID=137&size=50|title=TWI Wins Contract to Host Broadcast Commonwealth Games {{!}} News {{!}} Sportcal|website=sportcal.com|access-date=2018-04-29|archive-date=29 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429160352/https://www.sportcal.com/News/PressReleases/92961?sportID=137&size=50&sportID=137&size=50|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/tv--radio/nine-wins-sunday-with-games-closing-ceremony/2006/03/27/1143330968554.html|title=Nine wins Sunday with Games closing ceremony - TV & Radio - Entertainment|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=27 March 2006 |language=en|access-date=2018-04-29}}</ref>
* In Australia [[Fox Sports (Australia)|Fox Sports]] broadcast the Games on eight dedicated digital [[Pay-TV]] channels. These were available on the [[Foxtel]], [[Austar]] and [[Optus Vision]] networks.
* The [[BBC]] covered the Commonwealth Games in the United Kingdom on [[BBC One]] and [[BBC Two]]. [[BBC Red Button|BBCi]] included a choice of two extra video streams on [[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]] and four streams on Digital [[Satellite]] and [[Cable television|Cable]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/commonwealth_games/4719492.stm|title=Melbourne coverage {{!}} BBC|date=2006-03-01|access-date=2018-04-29|language=en-GB}}</ref> Users with broadband in the United Kingdom could also view all 5 video streams on [[bbc.co.uk]], and the BBC Sport website.
*[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]], [[CBC Newsworld]], and [[CBC Country Canada]] aired a daily one-hour highlights show of the Commonwealth Games in Canada.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://pedalmag.com/cbc-sports-commonwealth-games-schedule/|title=CBC Sports Commonwealth Games Schedule {{!}} Pedal Magazine|date=2006-01-24|work=Pedal Magazine|access-date=2018-04-29|language=en-US}}</ref> Compared to past games, the CBC's coverage was minimally staffed, with commentary from other broadcasting partners. At first, they did not even consider bidding for the broadcasting rights<ref>{{cite web | access-date=2018-04-29 | url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/Commonwealth-Games/Blow-to-Games-prestige/2005/03/24/1111525290735.html | title=Blow to Games prestige - Commonwealth Games | language=en | website=theage.com.au| date=25 March 2005 }}</ref> due to scheduling conflicts with events Canadians are more interested in, such as the [[Tim Hortons Brier]], [[World Figure Skating Championships]], and the [[2006 Winter Paralympics]] ''(which itself had been reduced to five-to-ten-minute daily coverage)''. None of Canada's metropolitan newspapers sent any journalists to report on the Games, instead relying on news agencies
* [[TVNZ]] covered the games for the residents of New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportcal.com/News/PressReleases/92848|title=TVNZ To Broadcast The Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games In New Zealand {{!}} News {{!}} Sportcal|website=sportcal.com|access-date=2018-04-29|archive-date=29 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429155428/https://www.sportcal.com/News/PressReleases/92848|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* In [[Malaysia]], [[TV1 (Malaysia)|TV1]] broadcast live coverage of the Games for three hours starting at 10&nbsp;am Malaysian time and for two hours starting at 3&nbsp;pm, with highlights at 12:30&nbsp;am. Satellite provider [[Astro (satellite TV)|Astro]] included three dedicated channels to broadcast the Games live to its Sports package subscribers, in addition to delayed broadcast 24 hours later.
* Singapore's [[MediaCorp]] TV had supposedly not broadcast the games due to the high cost of [[Broadcasting|telecast]] rights, [[satellite]] charges and the lack of [[sponsor (commercial)|sponsors]]. However, on 17 March, the MediaCorp found other sponsors which is the [[Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports]] and the [[Singapore Sports Council]]. Broadcast started from 18 March until the end of the games. 
* In India, [[Prasar Bharati]] broadcast the games on [[DD National]] and [[DD Sports]]. All India Radio broadcast the running commentary of the main matches and events.<ref>{{cite news | access-date=2018-04-29 | url=https://www.exchange4media.com/TV/Prasar-Bharati-bags-broadcast-rights-for-2006-Commonwealth-Games_18979.html | title=Prasar Bharati bags broadcast rights for 2006 Commonwealth Games | work=Indian Advertising Media & Marketing News – exchange4media | date=14 December 2005 | language=en-US}}</ref>
* In the United States, selected coverage was carried by [[Fox College Sports]].
* In [[the Bahamas]], Cable 12 on cable Bahamas broadcast the games.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cablebahamas.com/cable-bahamas-brings-the-xviii-commonwealth-games-to-bahamians-on-cable-12/|title=Cable Bahamas brings the XVIII Commonwealth Games to Bahamians on Cable 12|website=cablebahamas|access-date=29 April 2018|archive-date=29 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429160101/https://www.cablebahamas.com/cable-bahamas-brings-the-xviii-commonwealth-games-to-bahamians-on-cable-12/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* In Europe, coverage was carried by [[European Broadcasting Union|EBU]] members.
* Altogether an estimated 4 billion viewers watched the 2006 Commonwealth Games worldwide.

==Marketing==

=== Logo ===
The logo of the 2006 Commonwealth Games is an image of 2 figures, which represents sport and culture, achievement and excellence, while the colours green, yellow, and red represents celebratory, fresh and youthfully optimistic character of Melbourne city. The two figures in the logo joined to form a letter M, which is the initial letter of Melbourne, the games host city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m2006.thecgf.com/Media+Centre/Newsletter/Newsletter+Issue+6+June+2003.htm|title=M2006 > Media Centre > Newsletter > Display}}</ref>

===Mascot===
'''Karak''' was the mascot for the 2006 Commonwealth Games. He was modelled on a [[red-tailed black cockatoo]], a [[threatened species]] within the host country, Australia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m2006.thecgf.com/Karak+the+Mascot/Karak+the+Mascot.htm|title=mascot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://m2006.thecgf.com/Media+Centre/Newsletter/Newsletter+Issue+7+April+2004.htm|title=Games mascot unveiled}}</ref>

=== Sponsors ===
{{collapse top |title=Sponsors of the 2006 Commonwealth Games<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://m2006.thecgf.com/Getting+Involved/Sponsorship|title=M2006 > Getting Involved > Sponsorship|website=m2006.thecgf.com|access-date=2018-05-01}}</ref>}}

====Official partners====
{{Div col|colwidth=18em}}
* [[National Australia Bank]]
* [[Visa Inc.]]
* [[Qantas]]
* [[Telstra]]
* [[Tabcorp Holdings]]
* [[Toyota]]
* [[Microsoft]]
* [[BHP]]
{{div col end}}

====Official sponsors====
{{Div col|colwidth=18em}}
* Hudson
* [[MLC Limited|MLC]]
* [[Holmesglen Institute of TAFE]]
* [[Konica Minolta]]
* [[Coates Hire]]
* [[Peters Ice Cream|Nestlé Peters]]
* [[PricewaterhouseCoopers]]
* [[Australia Post]]
* [[De Bortoli Wines]]
* [[Cadbury]]
* [[Woolworths Supermarkets]]
* [[Foster's Group]]
* [[Royal Automobile Club of Victoria]]
* [[Triple M]]
* [[Omega SA|Omega]]
{{div col end}}

====Official providers====
{{Div col|colwidth=18em}}
* [[Allens (law firm)|Allens]]
* [[TOWER Software]]
* Finsbury Green Printing
* [[AccorHotels]]
* [[Hard Yakka]]
* [[Royal Australian Mint]] 
* Tork
* Mistral
* [[DB Schenker]]
* Sleepmaker
* [[Dell]] Australia
* Australian Project & Consulting Services (APCS)
* Cleanevent
* [[Docklands, Victoria|Melbourne Docklands]]
* Ramler Furniture
* Rehame
* [[CityLink]]
* Interflora
* [[Rexona]] 
* [[City of Ballarat]] 
* HBA Health Insurance 
* Snowhite Cleaning Services 
* Y&J Timber Flooring 
* Bytecraft 
* Pico Moreton Consortium 
* [[Philips]] Medical Systems Australasia 
* [[Cisco]] 
* Waterfront City 
* [[Origin Energy]]
* [[Ticketmaster]]
{{div col end}}
{{collapse bottom}}
[[File:VH-VYE 'Karak' Boeing 737-838 Qantas sporting the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games Livery (9003318564).jpg|thumb|Qantas Airlines showcasing the logo of the 2006 Commonwealth Games.]]

== Controversies ==

===Missing athletes===
On 20 March 2006 it was reported that two athletes had gone missing from the Commonwealth Games village: [[Tanzania]]n boxer [[Omari Idd Kimweri]] and [[Bangladesh]]i runner Mohammad Tawhidul Islam.<ref>{{cite news | first=Ellen | last=Whinnett |url=http://heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,18556695%255E2862,00.html | title=Mystery of missing athletes | work=[[Herald Sun]] | date=22 March 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=sportsNews&storyID=2006-03-23T042811Z_01_SYD317188_RTRUKOC_0_US-COMMONWEALTH-MISSING.xml&archived=False | title=Nine athletes vanish from Commonwealth Games | work=[[Reuters]] | date=22 March 2006 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

On 22 March 2006 it was reported that seven athletes from [[Sierra Leone]] (three women and four men) had also disappeared. A further seven Sierra Leonean athletes also went missing during the course of the Games, bringing the total runaway count to fourteen (two-thirds of the team). [[Victoria Police]] believed that they had fled to Sydney where the Sierra Leonean community is much larger than Melbourne's.

Two hours before the Closing Ceremony on 26 March, officials from the [[Cameroon]] team reported to police that nine of their members had also vanished.

These incidents were not without precedent: 27 athletes similarly disappeared from the [[2002 Commonwealth Games]] in Manchester, England (21 from Sierra Leone, 5 from Bangladesh and one from Pakistan), and over 80 athletes and officials overstayed their visas after the [[2000 Summer Olympics]] in Sydney.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4835826.stm | title=Athletes 'go missing from Games' | work=[[BBC News Online]] | date=23 March 2006}}</ref>

On request of Sierra Leone officials, the Commonwealth Games Federation cancelled those athletes' Games accreditation, allowing the [[Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (Australia)|Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs]] (DIMA) to cancel their visas at midnight on 27 March, and begin investigating their disappearance.
At 7.20&nbsp;am on that day, [[New South Wales Police]] located six of the Sierra Leonean athletes in a house at [[Freshwater, New South Wales|Freshwater]] near [[Manly Beach]] in Sydney. All six indicated they wished to seek [[political asylum in Australia]], and were granted bridging visas by DIMA while their refugee applications were arranged. The athletes claimed to have been subjected to violence and torture in their home country; seventeen-year-old Isha Conteh stated she could be forced into [[female genital cutting]] if she returned.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2006/s1602299.htm ABC] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306071745/http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2006/s1602299.htm |date=6 March 2016 }}</ref> On Tuesday 28 March, six further Sierra Leoneans turned themselves in to immigration authorities in Sydney and were also granted bridging visas.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/visas-for-second-group-of-athletes/2006/03/28/1143441127017.html | title=Visas for second group of athletes | work=[[The Age]] | date=28 March 2006}}</ref>

Two of the missing Cameroonian athletes were later found in [[Perth, Western Australia]].

=== The Stolenwealth Games ===
The Stolenwealth Games were protests at the 1982 and 2006 Commonwealth Games. People were protesting because they believed that the Commonwealth Games led to the erasure of indigenous people.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/apr/09/the-fight-never-left-stolenwealth-games-protesters-draw-on-long-tradition|title='The fight never left': Stolenwealth Games protesters draw on long tradition|last=Latimore|first=Jack|date=2018-04-08|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=2018-11-03}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blackgst.revolt.org/stolenwealth/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060319235724/http://blackgst.revolt.org/stolenwealth/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2006-03-19|title=M2006|date=2006-03-19|access-date=2020-01-15}}</ref> There were also problems with land rights. These protests led to the creation of the Global Indigenous Games.

== See also ==
* [[2005 Summer Deaflympics]]
* [[Festival Melbourne2006]]
* Commonwealth Games celebrated in Australia
** [[1938 British Empire Games|1938 Commonwealth Games]] – Sydney
** [[1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games|1962 Commonwealth Games]] – Perth
** [[1982 Commonwealth Games]] – Brisbane
** [[2018 Commonwealth Games]] – Gold Coast
* Commonwealth Youth Games celebrated in Australia
** [[2004 Commonwealth Youth Games]] – Bendigo
* Olympic Games celebrated in Australia
** [[1956 Summer Olympics]] – Melbourne
** [[2000 Summer Olympics]] – Sydney
** [[2032 Summer Olympics]] – Brisbane
* Paralympic Games celebrated in Australia
** [[2000 Summer Paralympics]] – Sydney
** [[2032 Summer Paralympics]] – Brisbane

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}

* [https://thecgf.com/games/melbourne-2006#introduction "Melbourne 2006"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407120010/https://thecgf.com/games/melbourne-2006#introduction |date=7 April 2018 }}. ''Thecgf.com''. Commonwealth Games Federation.
* [https://thecgf.com/results/games/3026 "Results and Medalists—2006 Commonwealth Games"]. ''Thecgf.com''. Commonwealth Games Federation.
* [http://m2006.thecgf.com/Channels/ "Official Website"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060820125746/http://m2006.thecgf.com/Channels/ |date=20 August 2006 }}. ''M2006.thecgf.com''. Melbourne 2006.

{{sequence
| |prev=[[2002 Commonwealth Games|Manchester]]
| |list= ''[[Commonwealth Games]]''<br />'''Melbourne'''<br />XVIII Commonwealth Games
 |next=[[2010 Commonwealth Games|Delhi]]
}}
{{Commonwealth Games years}}
{{Associations at the 2006 Commonwealth Games}}
{{Commonwealth Games Medal Counts}}
{{Commonwealth Games results}}
{{Sports at the 2006 Commonwealth Games}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Portal bar|Sports|Australia}}

[[Category:2006 Commonwealth Games| ]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games in Australia]]
[[Category:Sports competitions in Melbourne]]
[[Category:2006 in Australian sport|Commonwealth Games]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games by year]]
[[Category:2006 in multi-sport events|Commonwealth Games]]
[[Category:2000s in Melbourne]]
[[Category:March 2006 sports events in Australia]]
[[Category:2006 in Victoria (state)]]