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Cyprus first stop on Queen’s Commonwealth Baton Relay

from left to right team england netball player layla guscoth, cllr ian ward, leader of birmingham city council, and the official birmingham 2022 mascot perry
Team England netball player Layla Guscoth (left), leader of Birmingham City Council Ian Ward, and the official Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games mascot Perry

THE Queen’s Baton Relay began its epic journey across the globe as it departed Birmingham Airport on Friday and heads to Cyprus – the first stop on the 140,000-kilometre relay.

The Queen’s Baton Relay is a tradition that celebrates, connects and excites communities from across the Commonwealth during the build up to the Games. The departure of the follows the launch of the 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay in an exciting and special ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Thursday, where Her Majesty The Queen placed her message to the Commonwealth into the Baton.

The Queen’s Baton will now visit all 72 nations and territories of the Commonwealth – an incredible journey which will see it reach Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and Oceania, before travelling the length and breadth of England during the final days of the Relay.

The Baton will eventually return to its home town of Birmingham next summer, before completing its journey at the Opening Ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games on July 28, 2022.

The landmark moment at Birmingham Airport was attended by Birmingham-born, Team England netball player Layla Guscoth. With ambitions to pursue her medical career as a doctor alongside her commitments as a professional athlete, Guscoth worked on the frontline at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, and will be competing in next year’s Games.
She was joined by the official Birmingham 2022 mascot, Perry.

The official send-off took place at one of the departure gates at the airport. To mark the special occasion, the area was decorated with Queen’s Baton Relay branding to give a ‘Queen’s Baton Relay departures’ feel.

Ian Reid, Chief Executive Officer of Birmingham 2022, said: “The official launch of the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay at Buckingham Palace was a resounding success. Now, it’s time to send the Baton onwards as it embarks on a 294-day journey, connecting communities in every corner of the Commonwealth, embracing unique cultures and sharing stories.

“We hope this collective journey will ignite hope, solidarity and collaboration for the next generation, with these stories leaving us all inspired to take on the challenges that matter most. This is such an important milestone in the lead up to the Games and one that we should all carry with pride.”

Team England netball player Layla Guscoth added: “This is such a surreal and proud moment for me as an athlete with strong Birmingham roots. There’s been so much buzz and excitement here in the West Midlands and the start of the Relay has now brought all of this wonderful energy to life. The countdown has truly begun, and I can’t wait to see the Baton arrive back here in Birmingham in 294 days’ time!”

Ian Metcalfe, Chair of Commonwealth Games England, said: “As a born and bred Brummie, it’s so exciting to be sending the Baton off from Birmingham Airport, to travel all around the Commonwealth in a momentous moment ahead of Birmingham 2022. We look forward to its return next year and seeing communities from all over England celebrate the Commonwealth Games on home soil.”

Birmingham 2022 will welcome 4,500 athletes from 72 nations and territories for 11 days of spectacular sport, from July 28 to August 8, 2022.

For more information on the Queen’s Baton Relay and to follow the Baton’s journey, visit birmingham2022.com/qbr

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