Queen's Baton Relay
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The Queen's Baton Relay, similar to the Olympic Torch Relay, is a relay around the world held prior to the beginning of the Commonwealth Games. The Baton carries a message from the Head of the Commonwealth, currently Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Melbourne, 2006
The Melbourne 2006 Queen's Baton Relay was the world's longest, most inclusive relay, travelling more than 180,000 kilometres and visiting all 71 nations of the Commonwealth in one year and a day. The Queen's Baton Relay started at Buckingham Palace and ended in Melbourne, Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It carried a message from the Queen to the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.
About the Baton
The baton contained 71 lights on the front, representing the 71 member nations of the Commonwealth. A video camera built into the front of the baton recorded continuously as the baton travelled, and a GPS tracker was fitted, so that the baton's location could be viewed live on the Commonwealth Games Website.
Final Baton Runners
- Melbourne 2006 - John Landy, Governor of Victoria.
- Manchester 2002 - Premiership footballer David Beckham & Kirsty Howard.
See also
External links
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