Countdown to 2010 Delhi Games begins

The Commonwealth Games baton, carrying a message from HM Queen Elizabeth II to the 2010 Commonwealth Games' athletes, began its journey from Buckingham Palace, London, UK, last week.

The Queen’s Baton Relay - one of the greatest traditions of the Commonwealth Games – sees a baton containing a message to the Games’ athletes visit the member nations and territories of the Commonwealth over 240 days before arriving in India for a 100-day national tour.

The President of India, Pratibha Patil, and the Queen both attended the launch ceremony on 29 October 2009.

The baton’s journey symbolises the unity and shared ideals of the Commonwealth of Nations, and enables communities beyond the host city to share the Games celebrations.

On reaching its final destination in New Delhi the baton will have travelled over 190,000 kilometres. It will also have passed through thousands of hands, and travelled by different modes of transport across land, air and sea.

Sporting legends

The relay will conclude after the final baton bearer enters the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the XIX Commonwealth Games on 3 October 2010 where the Queen’s message will be removed from the baton and read aloud, officially opening the Games.

Indian sporting legends attending the palace included Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra and cricket legend Kapil Dev.

British Olympians Kelly Holmes and Sebastian Coe, the organiser of the 2012 London Olympics, were also present, alongside English cricketer Monty Panesar.

“It was a great honour and a great privilege to be involved in a baton relay that will touch the lives of a third of the global population and something that is so important for India as well,” said Lord Coe.

Key Links:

• Country Profile: India
• The Delhi Games planned ‘on an unprecedented scale

Related News:

• Queen's Baton Relay
• Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi