Queen’s Baton Relay

OTTAWA – The Queen’s Baton Relay is a Commonwealth Games tradition that connects all nations and territories of the Commonwealth prior to the Games being held. The 2018 Queen’s Baton, which is on an epic 388-day journey, carries a message from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II which calls the Commonwealth’s athletes to come together in peaceful and friendly competition to the Games in Gold Coast Australia April 4-15, 2018.

The BC Sports Hall of Fame has produced a ‘virtual relay’ where the Queen’s Baton will travel to iconic Vancouver landmarks and be greeted by Commonwealth Games athletes and alumni and BC Sports Hall of Fame Honoured Members.

Media are invited for photo and interview opportunities as the Baton visits Vancouver on Tuesday August 1st.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2017 – Vancouver, BC (Host of 1954 British Commonwealth Games)

WHEN: 8:00 am
WHERE: Capilano Suspension Bridge
WHO: Elaine Tanner – 1966 Commonwealth Games Alumni, Commonwealth & Olympic medalist (winner of a remarkable 7 medals at the 1966 Commonwealth Games: 4 gold and 3 silver)

WHEN: 8:30 am
WHERE: Grouse Mountain
WHO: Philip Wright- Team Canada Field Hockey. 2006, 2010 Commonwealth Games Alumni.

WHEN: 10:00 am – Welcome of Baton to Vancouver
WHERE: Empire Fields (site of 1954 Games)
WHO: Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport, Government of Canada
Charmaine Crooks – 1982/1986/1994 Commonwealth Games Alumni, Commonwealth & Olympic medalist

WHEN: 11:15 am
WHERE: Harry Jerome sculpture at Stanley Park
WHO: Doug and Diane Clement – 1954/1958 Commonwealth Games Alumni, Commonwealth medalists

WHEN: 12:00 pm – BC Sports Hall of Fame ‘Block Party’
WHERE: Terry Fox Plaza (BC Place)
WHO: Multiple vendors and sport activations including BC Ten Pin Federation, BC Athletics, BC Rugby plus more.

WHEN: 4:00 pm – Hero in You Athlete Presentation
WHERE: BC Sports Hall of Fame (Gate A – BC Place)
WHO: Brent Hayden – 2006/2010 Commonwealth Games Alumni, Commonwealth and Olympic medalist

ABOUT THE 2018 QUEEN’S BATON RELAY

The Queen’s Baton Relay was launched at Buckingham Palace on March 13th 2017, when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Head of the Commonwealth, placed her message to the Commonwealth into the baton. Over its 388-day journey through 70 Commonwealth nations and territories, the baton will have covered close to 230,000 kilometres, averaging one to four days in each nation or territory. The baton is travelling to Africa, the Caribbean, North America and then Europe and Oceania. It will finish its journey at the Opening Ceremony of the XXI Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia on April 4, 2018.Visit www.gc2018.com/qbr for information.

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.ca for information.

For information on the Vancouver events, please contact:

Jason Beck
Curator & Facility Director BC Sports Hall of Fame 604.308.9888

For further information:

Rachel Harper
Events Coordinator
BC Sports Hall of Fame 778.558.0420

Commonwealth Games Canada
Sylvie Bigras
Communications Chief, Team Canada Gold Coast 2018 613.298.1625
sylvie@magma.ca