The Isle of Man was represented at the launch of the Glasgow 2014 Queen’s Baton Relay at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday (October 9). The ceremony featured Scotland’s greatest ever Commonwealth and Olympic athletes, Allan Wells MBE and Sir Chris Hoy MBE and representatives from nations and territories across the Commonwealth. The event signalled the start of a 118,000 mile journey to all Commonwealth nations and territories – including a visit to the Isle of Man in May next year. The relay will culminate at the opening ceremony of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games on July 23, 2014. Inside the baton is Her Majesty’s message to the Commonwealth which will remain hidden until the opening ceremony. Juliet Holt, President of the Isle of Man Commonwealth Games Association (IoM CGA), attended the launch event in London and commented:
“It was a great honour to represent the Island at the ceremony, and a great honour just to be there. The start of The Queen’s Baton Relay is another major milestone in the countdown to the Games, and the fantastic atmosphere at the launch event captured the mood of excitement and anticipation everyone involved feels towards Glasgow 2014. The baton itself is an incredible design and it will be marvellous to see it arrive in the Isle of Man next year.”
The baton will be carried to the Island on May 16, 2014, from the Guernsey and Jersey legs of the relay. It will leave on Monday May 19 and continue on its journey with the next stop being Northern Ireland. Details of the exact route it will take in the Isle of Man have yet to be finalised. The baton is made from titanium, wood, and granite and was designed by Glasgow-based 4c Design, in collaboration with Scottish school students, and symbolises Glasgow’s and Scotland’s culture, history and innovation in its design and construction. During the relay launch event Her Majesty placed her message to the Commonwealth inside the baton. The message is inscribed on a parchment handmade in Glasgow using linen and plant fibre and the baton contains a granite ‘gemstone’ which will be gifted to each nation and territory during the visit.
The team that the Isle of Man sends to Glasgow 2014 depends upon public support for fundraising events organised by the Isle of Man Commonwealth Games Association, which is a registered charity. The Association is responsible for the publicity, fundraising, travel and support for Team Isle of Man’s participation at the Commonwealth Games. A key part of the fundraising strategy in the build-up to Glasgow 2014 is the Team Isle of Man Champions initiative. A total of 10 Island businesses will be announced as Team Isle of Man Champions in the countdown to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games to help raise funds to send a strong team to the event. As Team Isle of Man Champions businesses can, for example, use the official Champions logo on all marketing material, company vehicles and on their website. Any businesses interested in becoming a Team Isle of Man Champion should contact Isle of Man Commonwealth Games Association President Juliet Holt by emailing juliet_holt@hotmail.com – or contact Association Vice-President John Knight by emailing JohnKnight@thechildrenscentre.org.im
Photo - Her Majesty places her message to the Commonwealth inside the Glasgow 2014 baton watched by HRH Prince Tunku Imran, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation.
