Glasgow 2014: Tom Daley to Return Queen’s Baton to British Soil on 11 May

On Sunday 11 May, Glasgow 2014 ambassador and Olympic and Commonwealth medalist Tom Daley, will bring the Queen’s Baton back to British soil as it arrives in Jersey, the first Home Nation stop on the baton’s epic 288-day journey through the Commonwealth.

Tom Daley will be joined by 23 year-old Team Jersey medal hopeful and British Indoor Championship shot-putter Zane Duquemin. Together they will carry the Queen’s Baton into the historic harbour of St Aubin’s, where hundreds of young athletes are set to welcome them in a public ceremony, before the two-day relay starts off on the island the following day.

Organisers are inviting the public to go to St Aubin’s Harbour in time for the event kick off at 17:45 to share the excitement and celebration of the baton’s homecoming. The programme includes the opportunity to meet Jersey’s past and future athletes and witness the arrival of the Queen’s Baton.

The Jersey arrival marks the start of the baton’s journey through the British Isles, as the countdown for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games begins in earnest.

For the next 32 days the relay will journey through Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Northern Ireland, Wales and England, rallying athletes as they get ready to compete for medals in Glasgow, and encouraging everyone to get behind their Home Teams.

When it reaches Scotland on 14 June 2014, the baton will embark on a 40-day journey through 400 communities across Scotland. Up to 4,000 people will carry Her Majesty’s message, before it is read at the Opening Ceremony on 23 July 2014.

Glasgow 2014 Ambassador, Tom Daley, said, “I was so honoured to be asked to carry the Queen’s Baton as it arrives back on British soil. I’ve followed the baton’s journey around the world since it began last October, so it’s very exciting to be in Jersey as it begins the Home Nations leg. This is the time for everyone to get behind their Home Teams as the baton’s arrival reminds us that the Games are just around the corner. I’m counting down the days!”

President of Commonwealth Games Association of Jersey, Alan Cross, said, “We couldn’t ask for a better build-up for Team Jersey as we draw close to the Games. We are honoured, as the southern-most Commonwealth Games Association territory in Britain, to be entrusted with the Queen’s Baton as it commences its final leg of the relay en route to Scotland and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. We are particularly excited that the baton will be accompanied to our Island by the Chairman of Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, Lord Smith of Kelvin, our Commonwealth Games Federation European Vice President, Chris Jenkins, and Glasgow 2014 Ambassador, Tom Daley. They will all be made most welcome.”