Queen’s Baton to go to church

The Cook Islands Sports and National Olympics Committee office was a hive of activity this week as organizers prepared for the arrival of the Queen’s Baton, the “Olympic Torch” of the Commonwealth Games.
The full itinerary for the baton has yet to be finalized, but it will arrive on May 21 before commencing an island-wide tour the next day.
The baton will be transported clockwise around the island, passing through the Punanga Nui market and the Takamoa Theological College and on to the hospital in an effort to allow as many people as possible to view the Games icon. The baton is also scheduled to join a vaka team for a short paddle in the lagoon.
The baton’s Sunday itinerary includes an event singular to the Cook Islands, where it will attend a mass at the Catholic Cathedral in the company of Queen’s Representative Sir Frederick Goodwin. This will mark the only time the baton will be present at a church service throughout the duration of its journey to the 70 nations of the Commonwealth.
A media truck will be part of the procession, providing updates on the baton’s progress to the local radio stations so the Outer Islands can also feel a part of the procession.
The 2010 Commonwealth Games will be held in Delhi, India, from Oct. 3-14, only the second time ever the event has been hosted in Asia. The Queen’s Baton relay started Oct. 29, 2009, when the baton, which contains a message to the athletes from Queen Elizabeth II, left Buckingham Palace. It will arrive at the Games’ opening ceremonies on Oct. 3.

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