Young athletes star in the Caribbean's Queen's Baton Relay

The Commonwealth continues to be beautifully presented in images, videos and stories of the Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) in the Caribbean. Find them at brand.gc2018.com – Queen’s Baton Relay, International Sector.

The Queen’s Baton Caribbean odyssey is in full swing, having kicked off in the southern-most nation of Trinidad and Tobago before island hopping north to Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia and Barbados.

Encouraging young people to get involved in sports is important to the region. Thousands of children have taken part in the Relay, sprinting with the Baton across beaches and trekking through jungle-clad mountains.

The Baton’s arrival to the region has been timed perfectly, as the Caribbean’s young athletes prepare for one of the biggest competitions of their lives, the Commonwealth Youth Games, to be held in the Bahamas from 19 July. The Baton will visit all 15 Caribbean nations in the Commonwealth in the lead up to the Games, arriving in host city Nassau for their Opening Ceremony.

Promising to pack a punch in the ring at the Youth Games is Grenada’s boxing prodigy Rufus Vesprey. Another young Grenadian to carry the Baton was swimmer Delron Felix, who said the Youth Games are a great pathway for young athletes.

"[It gives us] exposure to international competition and opens our eyes to future possibilities – if we are determined to train hard!"

The Queen’s Baton will next inspire Commonwealth citizens in Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat and St Kitts and Nevis.

Follow the remarkable journey at gc2018.com/qbr

QBR Hashtag: #QBR2018

GC2018 Hashtag: #GC2018, #SHARETHEDREAM

Please use the below details for media requests relating to the international sector of the GC2018 Queen’s Baton Relay.

ENDS

For more information please contact:

Keri Algar – keri.algar@goldoc.com / +61 466 381 305

QBR Public Relations and Media Operations Specialist

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC)

For more information please contact:

Sarah Owens – sarah.owens@goldoc.com / +61 481 916 084

QBR Public Relations Officer

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC)

Background

The GC2018 Queen’s Baton Relay

The GC2018 Relay is the longest and most accessible in history, travelling through the entire Commonwealth for 388 days and 230,000 kilometres.

The Queen’s Baton Relay will share the excitement of the Games with millions of people around the world.

The Baton will visit all Commonwealth nations and territories of Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and Oceania for 288 days before it arrives in Australia for a further 100 days.

The Baton will spend between two and four days in each nation and territory of the Commonwealth.

The Queen’s Baton Relay is a Games tradition that celebrates the Commonwealth’s diversity, inspires community pride and excites people about the world-class festival of sports and culture to come.

Since the Cardiff 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, the Queen’s Baton has carried a message from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II calling the Commonwealth’s athletes to come together in peaceful and friendly competition.

As it is passed between people, the Baton embraces the modern and multicultural Commonwealth of today, engaging with young and old, increasing our sense of connection, our understanding of each other and inspiring learning.

Each host city is responsible for delivering a new design for the Queen’s Baton. The distinctive design of the GC2018 Queen’s Baton was revealed on 20 November 2016 and captures the boundless energy of the Gold Coast.

Sustainability is a priority for the GC2018 Relay and care has been taken to ensure the Relay leaves positive economic, environmental and social legacies.

The Queen’s Baton Relay takes a message from Her Majesty The Queen through the Commonwealth to the Opening Ceremony of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

When the Queen’s Baton arrives at the Opening Ceremony on 4 April 2018, Her Majesty’s message will be removed from the Baton and read aloud to declare the Games open.

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