Bridgetown, Barbados – The eyes of the two billion citizens of the Commonwealth are fixed firmly on Barbados as the 2014 Commonwealth Baton touched down on the island today as part of the Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR).
Arriving at 5:00 pm on a LIAT flight from Guyana, the baton, flanked by a security presence and the official Guardians of the Baton was welcomed at the gate by a contingent including representatives from the Barbados Olympic Association Inc. (BOA), the British High Commission, UNICEF and the Royal Commonwealth Society.
“We have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Commonwealth Baton to Barbados,” says Steve Stoute, President of the BOA, “this is indeed a landmark occasion and a unique opportunity for Barbados to showcase what we have to offer. We hope to use the momentum from this event to continue to motivate our athletes, especially those participating in the upcoming Commonwealth Games.”
The official handover ceremony of the baton will take place tomorrow March 6 at Government House. The baton will be delivered to the Governor General of Barbados, Sir Elliott Belgrave who will then present it to Stoute. This will mark the start of two days of local activities in which the baton will travel around the island making stops at specific schools, landmarks and places of interest.
The first event will be a relay which will take place immediately following the handover ceremony. Baton bearers, including the British High Commissioner, Justice Sandra Mason, representatives from the National Federations and others, will pass the baton along an 8k route from Government House to the BOA Headquarters in the Wildey Sports Complex. On Friday March 7 there will be an island tour. Images from the various activities will be shared around the world via local and international media.
About the Baton
The 2014 QBR was launched at Buckingham Palace on Oct. 9, 2013, when Her Majesty The Queen placed a message to the Commonwealth into the Baton. More information can be found at: http://www.glasgow2014.com