AFRICAN GAMES

also called Pan-african Games, or All-african Games, international athletics (track-and-field) competition sponsored by the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF), and contested by athletes representing the nations of Africa. The African Games were first held in 1965, in Brazzaville, Congo, and consisted of contests in athletics (track-and-field) sports exclusively. Attempts to hold such African games date back to the 1920s; and in the early 1960s "friendship" games were held, but only among formerly French-governed countries. The second African Games were held in 1973 in Lagos, Nigeria, and the number of participating countries rose from 29 to 35. The third games were held in Algiers, Alg., in 1978. The games scheduled to be held in Kenya in 1982 were canceled. In order to provide more regular competition for African athletes, the African Championships were first held in 1979 and were subsequently held an average of every two years. Athletes representing Kenya and Nigeria won the most medals in the African Games (and Championships).