In 2005 it was brought to Belize for the first time carrying a special electronic message from the Queen herself- Well the Queen’s Baton came back to Belize today to commemorate next year’s Commonwealth Games which are held every 4 years. Belize is just one stop on a long journey to visit all 70 commonwealth nations. Now this baton wasn’t coated in 24 Karat Gold nor did it have that automated message but it’s distinctive design certainly did not disappoint. Courtney Weatherburne looks at the brief history behind the Queen’s Baton and what it means for Belize.
The Queen’s Baton Relay tradition started back in 1958. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the 2nd wrote and enclosed this letter in this silver-gilt enamel baton.
The letter was recited in Cardiff Wales for the start of what was called the British Empire and Commonwealth Games. Now it is called the Commonwealth Games and a newly styled Queen’s baton is making its rounds to all African and Caribbean countries including Belize among others.
Where it made its debut today.
Kerry Thompson - Team Liaison, Queen’s Baton Relay
"So this Queen’s Baton Relay is the longest Relay in history, it is traveling for 388 days to all 70 nations and territories of the Commonwealth over 230,000 Kilometers. So earlier this year on the 13th of March on Commonwealth day as per tradition Her Majesty the Queen placed the message inside the baton which you can see on the side here."
And that message will be read next year in Australia to kick off the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games which Belize will be participating in.
Giovanni Alamilla - Assistant Secretary General, Commonwealth Games Association
"Belize will have the participation of cycling, athletics, shooting, table tennis and triathlon."
And in terms of the Baton’s design, it was crafted to reflect the uniqueness of the Common Wealth Games host country.
Keri Algar - Media Liaison
"The baton represent the people, the place and the spirit of the Gold Coast and its form represents our past, our history, our present and our future."
And Belize is now part of the ongoing narrative as our cyclists take up the baton on the first stage of the tour. The team rode up to Belize City …. Where the baton was then handed over to the young athletes who ran proudly with it to the House of Culture.
As you saw, the Cyclists rode from the PGIA to San Cas. In Belize City where the athletes ran it to the House of Culture. But the Belize tour doesn’t end there.  Tomorrow it will be taken to the Chiquibul Park where Rafael Manzanero and his FCD team will join in the relay. They will make a stop in Caracol. Then on August 4th it heads over to Orange Walk. The Queen’s Baton team leaves Belize to Guyana on August 6th. Before arriving in Belize it was taken to 5 cities in Canada.
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