QUEEN’S BATON RELAY ARRIVES IN HAMILTON
Baton completes its Canadian tour at the birthplace of the Commonwealth Games
April 2, 2014 HAMILTON, ON – Today, during a ceremony rich with historical references, 97-year-old Vi (Smith) Histed participated in welcoming the Queen’s Baton to the birthplace of the Commonwealth Games. Mrs. Histed was joined by athletes representing each decade of the Commonwealth Games; Hamilton Mayor Bob Bratina; Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games and Sport, Minister Shona Robison and several dignitaries as the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise’s) Pipe and Drum Band paraded the Queens Baton to the ceremony.
The Queen’s Baton began its 190,000-kilometre journey to 70 nations and territories on October 9, 2013 when Her Majesty first handed off the ceremonial baton to Scottish sprint legend Allan Wells. It has since continued its historic journey around the Commonwealth, calling the 4,500 athletes to Glasgow for the Games. Following its 288-day trek, the baton will return to The Queen at the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony on July 23, 2014, where Her Majesty’s message will be removed and read it aloud, officially declaring the Games open.
The ceremony was held next door to the Jimmy Thompson Pool and in the shadows of the Pan Am Soccer stadium where the original Civic Stadium once stood – both facilities were built to host the British Empire Games in1930.
“Hamilton has a rich history of sporting competition,” said Hamilton Mayor Bob Bratina. “It is very fitting that the last stop on the Queen’s Baton Canadian tour is the birthplace of the Commonwealth Games. We are absolutely thrilled to welcome the Queen’s Baton back to Hamilton.”
The Hamilton Children’s Choir and the Schiehallion Dancers added to the spirited entertainment. Also on hand were school children from neighbouring St. Ann’s Catholic Elementary School and Prince of Wales Elementary School as well as Brantford’s Major Ballachey Public School. A highlight for the youngsters was the presence of CGC’s mascot, Canoose the Goose and the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games mascot, Pachi the Porcupine.
Also present was David Sweet, P.C., M.P. for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale on behalf of Canada’s Minister of State (Sport), Bal Gosal, who said: “This celebration, in the city that hosted the first Commonwealth Games, is a symbolic way to complete the Canadian leg of the Queen’s Baton Relay. Sport is an important part of our culture, and I’m honoured to be at an event paying tribute not only to the legacy of those Games, but also to all of the athletes who have participated and competed so proudly for Canada.”
“The Queen’s Baton Relay is the world’s most engaging relay,” said Dr. Andrew Pipe, President of Commonwealth Games Canada. “It is a unique tradition of the Games that unites the two billion citizens of the Commonwealth in a celebration of sport, diversity and peace. And the enthusiasm for these Games that was born 84 years ago was still very evident today as Hamilton celebrated the visit of the Queen’s Baton.”
Hamilton is the last leg of the baton’s symbolic journey before returning to the United Kingdom for the 2014 Glasgow Games. On July 23, the Queen, or her representative, will officially open the XX Commonwealth Games at Glasgow’s Celtic Park.
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ABOUT COMMONWEALTH GAMES CANADA
Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) is the franchise holder for the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth movement in Canada, and an active, contributing member of the Canadian sport community. The mission of CGC is to strengthen sport within Canada and throughout the Commonwealth by participating in the Commonwealth Games and by using sport as a development tool. Visit www.commonwealthgames.cafor information.
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For additional information:
Sylvie Bigras
Communications Chief
Team Canada - Glasgow 2014
613 298 1625
sylvie@magma.ca
Phil Homerski
Public Affairs Coordinator
Pan Am Hamilton
905 977 1494
philip.homerski@hamilton.ca
