Dame Denise Lewis, the double Commonwealth gold-medallist, has praised the King's Baton Relay as a wonderful opportunity to highlight the best in local communities. The relay, which tours the Commonwealth before the Games, will conclude at the opening ceremony in Glasgow on 23 July, marking the start of the 23rd edition of the event.
Relay Journey and Significance
King Charles III launched the relay at Buckingham Palace on 10 March 2025, 500 days before the Games, by handing the baton to Sir Chris Hoy. The baton contains a personal message from the King and will arrive in England on 26 May, with a series of events planned to celebrate its six-day stay.
“The baton symbolises connectivity from country to country as it moves around the Commonwealth,” said Lewis, who won heptathlon gold in 1994 and 1998. “It’s that call to the attention of the Commonwealth that the Games are happening, and that people and communities can get engaged with the baton and its journey.”
Lewis emphasised the anticipation and pride felt by batonbearers. “There’s that level of anticipation when you know you’re going to be one of those baton relay runners. People will feel a sense of pride that they are representing their community. They’ve got family and friends who can get involved. It is just very special to be part of it, to witness it, and for that culmination [of the relay] when it arrives in the stadium for the first time.”
Personal Memories and Community Focus
Lewis, who was part of the Queen’s Baton Relay in 2002 before the Manchester Games, recalled her experience in Bournville. “It’s about the community. It’s about the people, the hands that actually connect to that baton as it passes through different places - through Birmingham at that time. They were iconic moments in my own journey. It lets you know that you were part of something really special.”
The King’s Baton Relay, supported by Team England’s official automotive partner, Geely, will travel to all 74 Commonwealth nations and territories, involving thousands of batonbearers.
A New Era for the Commonwealth Games
These Games will be the first with King Charles as head of the Commonwealth, and Lewis is optimistic about the event’s future. “It will be a lovely thing for the King to witness the Games now he is in charge of the realm and the Commonwealth. We’re moving into a new era with the Commonwealth Games as well. So that change of leadership will hopefully signify more to come from the Commonwealth as it continues to evolve and change for the better.”
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