The Community Games [Jeux de la Communaute] took place in Antananarivo between 13 and 19 April 1960. This international sporting event was based on the model of the Olympic Games and was the first one to bring together all French-speaking African nations, i.e. the states which were part of the Community, as well as the French overseas departments and territories. How did these games turn out as African athletes were in the spotlight for the first time when competing against French sporting teams? It is important to focus on the role of sporting events within the framework of international politics. This competition, which was totally imbalanced as far as the respective strengths went, was a relevant indicator of how political and diplomatic relations were shifting between France and its African colonies and Madagascar.