The Melbourne Commonwealth Games Are Coming

Within less than a month, the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games open in Melbourne with some 4500 athletes from 71 nations competing in 16 sports with 24 disciplines.

The Friendly Games, as they are called, run from March 15 to 26 in various venues in Victoria but mainly in Melbourne within three kilometres of the city centre.

(Aerial photograph of city games venues courtesy melbourne2006.com.au.)

The Queen's Baton Relay, started in London last year with Australians Elle Macpherson and Olympian Cathy Freeman, is now traversing the length and breadth of this southern continent and will be in Melbourne on March 15 to open the games at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Melbourne Park, home of the Australian Open, is where they'll hold the artistic and rhythmic gymnastics events and a number of basketball games.
Here's how to get to Melbourne Park.
Some Melbourne city hotels to consider if you plan to attend Commonwealth Games events and haven't yet booked accommodation. Or do a search on kayak.com.