Apr 09 - Commonwealth Games - Gibraltar To Welcome Queen’s Baton In 30 Days
In just 30 days time the Glasgow 2014 Queen's Baton Relay will arrive from Malta the 63rd country of its 71 Commonwealth destinations. Gibraltar will provide an integral link when it welcomes the baton as it travels on one of the most engaging relays in the world. The baton is currently travelling through Jamaica.
The Queen's Baton relay is the traditional curtain raiser to the Commonwealth Games and has been part of the Games programme since the Cardiff 1958 Commonwealth Games in Wales. The Glasgow 2014 Queen's baton Relay began at Buckingham Palace on the 9th October last year when her Majesty the Queen handed the baton to Sir Chris Hoye - the first of many thousands of baton bearers to carry the baton around the Commonwealth.
The Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said ha was “delighted that Gibraltar has been granted the honour of hosting the Glasgow 2014 Queen's Baton Relay, bringing with it the opportunity to highlight and promote the city via the accompanying media attention."
The Gibraltar Commonwealth Games Association’s Vice President, Joe Schembri, said: "Planning is already well underway to celebrate the arrival of Glasgow 2014 Queen's Baton Relay in our community. We look forward to seeing many locals join in the festivities and turn out to cheer on the relay's baton bearers. Along with a relay involving past and present athletes, the baton will also visit some of Gibraltar’s sporting facilities. A special welcome ceremony is also planned to officially mark the arrival of the baton in Gibraltar. Details of the exact route the baton will travel through Gibraltar and information about celebrations and activities will be released in the near future."
As part of its epic journey, the Glasgow 2014 Queen’s Baton Relay will traverse the length and breadth of the Commonwealth visiting all 71 nations of the Commonwealth covering 190,000 kilometres in 245 days. The baton has so far travelled throughout Asia, Oceania, Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. After visiting the North America and Europe, the baton will then complete the final part of the journey in Scotland where the baton will spend a total of 40 days.
The Glasgow 2014 Queen's Baton Relay will conclude during the Opening Ceremony of the XX Commonwealth Games on the 23rd July. During the ceremony, the final baton bearer will hand the baton back to Her Majesty or Her Representative. The message is then removed and read aloud, officially opening the Games.
