XIX Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010
The Queen’s Baton Relay is a tradition of the Commonwealth Games and acts as a curtain raiser to every Games since Cardiff 1958 Commonwealth Games in Wales. The relay symbolises the unity and shared ideals of the Commonwealth of Nations, and enables communities beyond the Host City to share the Games celebrations.
The relay traditionally begins with a commencement ceremony at Buckingham Palace, London, which coincides with the city’s Commonwealth Day festivities. There Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II entrusts the baton containing Her ‘message to the athletes’ to the first honorary baton bearer.
The relay concludes at the Opening Ceremony, as the final baton bearer hands the baton back to Her Majesty, or Her representative, and the message is read aloud. At that moment the relay ends and the Games begin.
Commonwealth Games Traditions – Queen’s Baton Relay
Queen's Baton Relay
Queen’s Baton Relay 2010 Delhi
The Queen’s Baton Relay 2010 Delhi was launched on October 29, 2009 at Buckingham Palace, London. The President of India, Mrs Pratibha Patil accepted the Queen of England’s invitation to grace the ceremony for XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi. India’s ace shooter Abhinav Bindra became the first baton bearer when he received the baton from Queen Elizabeth II containing Her Majesty’s ‘message to the athletes’.
The baton then touches the soil of all 71 member nations covering a distance of more than 190,000 kilometres in 340 days. It is one of the longest relays in the history of Commonwealth Games.
On its 100 day national tour, the baton will visit all the capital cities in India’s 28 states and seven union territories, covering more than 20,000 kilometres.
The relay concludes with the final baton bearer entering the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium during the Opening Ceremony on October 3, 2010 where Her Majesty’s message will be removed from the baton and read aloud, officially opening the Games.
The Queen’s Baton 2010 Delhi is created using processes and technologies existing in India by Foley Designs, in partnership with Titan Industries and a technology consortium led by Bharat Electronics Limited.
Commonwealth Games 2010 Official Ad with Queens Baton Relay
Queen’s Baton Relay Launch London
The 2010 Commonwealth Games are the nineteenth Commonwealth Games. The Games are scheduled to be held in Delhi, India between October 3, 2010 and October 14, 2010.
With the launch of the official theme song on August 28, 2010 till the closing ceremony on October 14, 2010, we will bring you a series of articles to cover the games extensively.
Official mascot for the 2010 Commonwealth Games Delhi
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