Members of The Queen's Baton Relay team are currently in Dominica, as part of the relay around the world. As part of the tradition of the Commonwealth Games the baton which carries a message from the Head of the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth II will make a stop in every commonwealth country ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Upon arrival in Australia where the 2018 games will be held, the Queen’s message will be read by the Queen or her representative to officially open the Games.
Sandra Osborne Honorary Legal Advisor for The Commonwealth Games Federation gave some background information on the importance of the Queens Baton to the games.
The Queen’s Baton is a symbol of the Commonwealth games held every four years. It represents the coming together of the 70 countries and territories of the Commonwealth and will make its way through these countries inspiring people as it goes along. The baton began its journey on the 13th of March this year. It began its journey in Africa then after the Caribbean, to America, Europe, Asia, Oceana and finally Australia.
The baton will have covered over 30,000 kilometers during its journey to Australia for the 2018 commonwealth games.
“It will take 388 days to make the journey the last 100 will be in Australia. It will cover 330,000 km before it has completed the journey leading up to the 2018 commonwealth games. At the opening ceremony, the message in the baton will be removed and read by her majesty or her representative where we will enjoy the message and the games are opened,” Osborn revealed.
Six thousand, six hundred athletes and technical officials from the 70 commonwealth countries will converge on the gold coast for these games. Osborne remarked that the commonwealth movement signifies more than sports but is also a cultural monument to inspire and bring together Caribbean people as we seek to understand each other better.
The team met with H. E the President of Dominica, Charles Savarin at the state house on Thursday, June 15th.
This year the Queen's Baton Relay began in Africa then on to Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, St. Vincent and Grenadines and Barbados. The next stop is Antigua and Barbuda.