Commonwealth Games baton relay hits the streets of Dominica

Members of the Queen's Baton Relay team has visited Dominica as part of the Commonwealth Games’ traditional build-up.

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 sporting spectracle.

Upon arrival in Australia’s Gold Coast, where the 2018 games will be held, the Queen’s message will be read by the monarch or her representative, and the Games will be officially open.

The team looking after the baton President of Dominica Charles Savarin at the state house yesterday.

Sandra Osborne, honorary legal advisor for The Commonwealth Games Federation gave some background on the importance of the Queen’s baton to the games.

The Queen’s baton is a symbol of the Commonwealth games held every four years, she said, and it represents the coming together of the 70 countries and territories of the organisations.

“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.

30,000 kilometres

“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.”

The baton began its journey on the 13 March at Buckingham Palace in London.

Africa was visited first before it arrived in the Caribbean, and it will go on to America, Europe, Asia, Oceania and finally Australia.

The baton will have covered over 30,000 kilometres over 388 days during its journey Down Under.

Osborne said that the Commonwealth movement signifies more than sports: ‘It is also a cultural monument to inspire and bring together Caribbean people as we seek to understand each other better.

The next stop is Antigua and Barbuda.