Employees from SSE Airtricity’s Belfast office joined Dame Mary Peters and SSE Next Generation Athlete, Norman Lau at the Mary Peter’s Athletics Track to welcome the arrival of the Queen’s Baton.
Children from community sports groups across both Northern Ireland and Scotland also joined in the celebration of sport, which marked 61 days until the start of the Glasgow Games. SSE Next Generation Athlete and local badminton player, Norman Lau was present to welcome the baton:
“I’m really proud to be an SSE Next Generation Athlete and be given the opportunity to see the Queens Baton first hand. I hope that in four years time I’ll have the chance to participate in the Commonwealth Games and perhaps even take home a medal for Team Northern Ireland.”
From the heights of Harland and Wolff to the peaks of the Mournes, the baton travelled the length and breadth of Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Committee Executive, Conal Heatly has worked behind the scenes to make the whole event happen:
“It’s been great, the four days have been fantastic and we’ve been well received anywhere we’ve gone. There’s been a lot of hard work and it’s been really good fun. Having Dame Mary and Clyde has helped promote the event and we’re now all looking forward to the start of the games on July 23.
The baton symbolises the coming together of all Commonwealth nations and territories in preparation for the four-yearly festival of sport and culture. Throughout its journey it will be cheered through the towns, cities and communities before concluding its journey at the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony on 23 July 2014.
Her Majesty the Queen will read her message aloud, bringing the baton’s journey to an end and declaring the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games open.
You can watch how the day unfolded in our Queen's Baton video.