688 1934 2nd BRITISH EMPIRE GAMES IN LONDON, Official’s badge "Official/British Empire Games/1934", 29x40mm, with red, white & blue ribbon. $150–200 ❖ 689 1938 COMMONWEALTH GAMES IN SYDNEY, Gold Winner’s Medal "British Empire Games/Australia/1938", octagonal, 63x63mm. The 1938 British Empire Games was the 3rd British Empire Games. Held in Sydney, from 5–12 February, they were timed to coincide with Sydney’s sesqui-centenary. Venues included the Sydney Cricket Ground, the Sydney Sports Ground, North Sydney Olympic Pool and Henson Park. An estimated 40,000 people attended the opening ceremony. A competitors’ residential village was established within the grounds of the Sydney Showground. The star of the games was the Australian athlete Decima Norman, who won five gold medals in track and field. Margaret Dovey, the future wife of Australian prime minister Gough Whitlam, finished sixth in the 220 yards breaststroke. Due to the outbreak of World War II, the games were not held again until 1950. Australia led the medal tally for the first time, achieving a total of 65 (24 gold, 19 silver, 22 bronze) ahead of England (39) & Canada (44). $500–750 690 1938 COMMONWEALTH GAMES IN SYDNEY, Silver 2nd Place Winner’s Medal "British Empire Games/Australia/1938", octagonal, 63x63mm. $400–600 691 1938 COMMONWEALTH GAMES IN SYDNEY, Participation Medal "British Empire Games of 1938, Sydney, Australia", octagonal, 63x75mm. $200–300 ❖ 692 1938 COMMONWEALTH GAMES IN SYDNEY, Official’s badge "British Empire Games 1938", 28x32mm, with red, white and blue ribbon. $200–300 ❖ 693 1950 4th BRITISH EMPIRE GAMES IN AUCKLAND, Bronze 3rd Place Winner’s Medal "British Empire Games/1950", engraved on reverse "WATER-POLO", in original presentation box. It would appear that this medal was prepared for a 3rd Place medal recipient. As only 2 teams competed in the inaugural British Empire Games water-polo competition - Australia and New Zealand, no 3rd place medals were required. Although recognised as a Commonwealth Games Federation sport, water polo has only featured in the Games once at the 1950 British Empire Games, where Australia won all three matches: 11-4, 13-2, 5-2. Water polo is acknowledged by the CGF as a sport for potential inclusion in future Games with further development in Commonwealth countries. $300–500 ❖ 694 1954 BRITISH EMPIRE GAMES IN VANCOUVER, ‘Gold’ Winner’s Medal "1954 V.British Empire and Commonwealth Games, Vancouver, Canada", gilt silver, 54mm diameter, engraved on reverse "BOXING WELTER-WEIGHT". Nicholas "Nick" Gargano (1934 – 2016) was an English boxer, who won the bronze medal in the welterweight division (– 67 kg) at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne. This is the medal he won two years earlier when he captured the gold medal in the same weight category at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games. Rodney Litzow of Australia won the silver medal. It was at these Games that the "Miracle Mile" took place between Roger Bannister (of England) and John Landy (of Australia). This was the first time these two (and at that time the only two) sub- four-minute mile runners appeared in the same race, and also the first time two runners broke four minutes in the same race. On the same afternoon, Jim Peters, the holder of the world best time for the marathon, entered the stadium 17 minutes ahead of his nearest rival, but collapsed on his final lap, and never completed the race. The games were attended by 24 nations and 662 competitors. Australians won 23 gold, 24 silver and 20 bronze medals. $1,000–1,500 695 1954 BRITISH EMPIRE GAMES IN VANCOUVER, Official’s badge "B. E. & C. G. Association", with red ribbon printed "OFFICIAL/ VANCOUVER 1954". Ex Richard "Gus" Taylor (Wales). $100–150 ❖ 689 690 106