The Queen’s Baton Relay is a Games tradition that celebrates, connects and excites communities from across the Commonwealth during the build up to the Games.
Birmingham 2022 is staging the 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay – an epic journey across the Commonwealth, with The Queen’s Baton visiting all 72 nations and territories, reaching Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, the Caribbean and the Americas.
Arriving from Caymans Islands, the Baton has officially touched down at Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston.
The Queen’s Baton, which carries a message from Her Majesty the Queen, arrived in Jamaica as part of its journey to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, which will be held in England from July 28 until 8 August 2022.
It will be in Jamaica for three days and during it’s time here, it will be carried by baton bearers, including current and legacy athletes, and will visit landmarks such as the Usain Bolt Track, Emancipation Park and the Donald Quarrie High School.
"Jamaica welcomes the Queen's Baton which symbolizes the spirit of goodwill and brotherhood among Commonwealth nations and as we look towards Birmingham our people will embrace the rich experience of being a part of the Queen's Baton Relay," said the President of the Jamaica Olympic Association Christopher Samuda.
The Queen’s Baton will be carried by various sporting federations such as Track and Field, Cycling, Para-taekwondo and the legend Mr Donald Quarrie, CD, who is a Jamaican former track and field athlete, one of the world's top sprinters during the 1970s.
Below is the schedule for the Queen's Baton:
The Queen’s Baton Relay activities in Jamaica include:
● Baton Receival Ceremony at the Norman Manley International Airport on Friday,
April 15, 2022 @ 7:00P.M.
● Baton Presentation Ceremony at the UWI Regional Headquarters on Saturday,
April 16, 2022 @ 8:30 am
● A mock relay at the Usain Bolt Track on Saturday, April 16, 2022, 10:30 am
● University of Technology to mark the partnership between the UTECH and the
The University of Birmingham on Saturday, April 17, 2022, @ 12:00 p.m.
● The Emancipation Park on Saturday, April 16, 2022 @ 1:00 p.m.
● Netball House Ceremony on Saturday, April 16, 2022, @ 2:00 p.m.
● Spanish Town Cathedral Church Service on Sunday, April 17, 2022, @ 8:30 a.m.
● Donald Quarrie High School on Sunday, April 17, 2022, @ 11:00 am.
● Ceremony with the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard in Port Royal on Sunday,
April 17, 2022 @ 12:30 p.m.
Since its inaugural appearance at the Cardiff 1958 Commonwealth Games, the Queen’s
Baton Relay has been a tradition for the Commonwealth Games.
The Relay started at Buckingham Palace on 7 October 2021, when Her Majesty The Queen
placed her Message to the Commonwealth into the Baton and passed it to four-time
Paralympic gold medallist and Team England athlete Kadeena Cox, who had the honour of
being the first of thousands of Baton bearers to carry the Baton through the Commonwealth.
The 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay is an epic journey covering the entirety of the
Commonwealth as it will travel to all 72 nations and territories, covering a distance of 140,000
kilometres. For 269 days, the Baton will travel to Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, the Caribbean
and the Americas, before it embarks on the final stretch of its journey across England for 25
days.
The Queen’s Baton Relay will complete its journey at the Opening Ceremony of the
Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games on 28 July 2022. This is a traditional and
fundamental part of the Games and the Opening Ceremony, as the final Baton bearer will
pass the Baton back to The Queen. The Queen’s message to the Commonwealth will then be
removed from the Baton and read aloud, marking the official start of the Birmingham 2022
Commonwealth Games.
Barbadian journalist Mike King described the omission of Williams from the list of awardees as “shocking” and “inexcusable” in a Facebook post.
“To leave World Championship bronze medallist Sada Williams out of the Independence Awards is a national scandal. Members of Cabinet should hold their heads down in shame,” he added.
Williams enjoyed a career best 2022 season in the one lap event.
In July, she ran a personal best and national record 49.75 for bronze at the World Championships in Eugene. She followed that up in August by winning gold at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 49.90 and silver at the NACAC Championships in Freeport in 49.86.
In addition to those medals, Williams also enjoyed four top three finishes on the Diamond League circuit last season. She finished third in Monaco and second in Lausanne and Brussels before crossing the line third once again at the Diamond League final in Zurich.
JOA President, Christopher Samuda, and JOA Secretary General/CEO, Ryan Foster, who both hail from the prominent Marescaux Road educational institution, Wolmer's Boys' School, welcomed their "sistren' Shelly-Ann, who attended Wolmer's Girls' School, and was on a doctor's visit to Birmingham.
The Commonwealth Manor in Birmingham is the second edition of the current administration of the JOA, the first having been held at the snazzy and popular Helm Bar in the Gold Coast, Australia, where the 2018 Games took place.
Shelly-Ann said "yes this is Wolmer's" in an evident show of scholastic camaraderie as she identified with the governors of JOA.
Samuda, in embracing the collegiate and national spirit, stated: "We are Wolmerians, the maroon and gold champions, and black, green and gold patriots" while Foster, inspired by the enviable history of his alma mater, was moved to say "changemakers and innovators we are and servant leaders we will always be"
Needing 65 to win from 20 overs, Meg Lanning scored an unbeaten 36 from 21 balls and Alyssa Healy 23 from 24 balls to propel Australia to 68-1 in just 8.1 overs.
The pair shared in a second-wicket partnership of 63 after Australia had lost the wicket of Beth Mooney for two in the second over.
Shanika Bruce was the lone wicket-taker for Barbados. She took 1-7 from the two overs she bowled.
Australia won the toss and sent Barbados to bat on a grassy pitch that held no terrors. Openers Deandra Dottin and Captain Hayley Matthews got the Caribbean representatives off to a good start getting to 20 inside four overs.
However, it all began to go wrong with the fifth ball of the fourth over bowled by Darcie Brown. Matthews had punished the bowler with two boundaries before getting out to an injudicious shot for 18.
She was the only batter to get into double figures as Deandra Dottin went for eight as Barbados slipped to 37 for 2. Shortly thereafter Kycia Knight was out for nine pulling Tahlia McGrath down to backward square where Megan Schutt held onto an easy catch and leave Barbados in serious trouble on 39-3 in the ninth over.
Barbados lost their last seven wickets for just 25 runs courtesy of Alana King who took 4-8 and McGrath 3-13. Ashleigh Gardener chipped in with a haul of 2-6 from her four overs as the batters fell like nine pins.
She produced a total time of 55.25 for gold in the Women's Individual (Sprint Distance) ahead of England’s Georgia Taylor-Brown (56.06) and Scotland’s Beth Potter (56.46).
Duffy, whose training throughout the season was impacted by COVID-19, successfully defended her title from four years ago in the Gold Coast edition of the Commonwealth Games.
She also won triathlon gold at the Tokyo Olympics last year.
The athlete has shone on the international stage in recent years winning medals in the Commonwealth Games, the Olympic Games and the Continental Cup.
Track authorities say the hurdler was informed of the positive test which came following an analysis of a sample by the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO). The sprint hurdler was tested last month.
It's expected that the athlete's B-sample will be tested.
He'll then be required to face a hearing to determine whether he will face sanctions that include being banned from the sport.
Following the decision of Shericka Jackson, Natasha Morrison and Stephenie-Ann McPherson to withdraw from the Jamaican contingent, the Jamaica Athletic Administrative Association (JAAA) sought clearance from the Commonwealth Games Federation to bring Williams in to compete in the 100m.
However, by the time the GCF gave that clearance, it proved challenging to get a flight out from the United States that would get the Jamaican sprinter into the UK on time.
A disappointed Williams made the announcement on social media on Monday.
“Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend the Commonwealth Games. The race is tomorrow (Tuesday) and I would’ve be getting in extremely late,” she said.
“Thanks to those who helped to try to speed up the process. Really wish I could have been there. Good luck to all the athletes competing.”
The 20-year-old Williams ran 10.94 to finish fourth at the Jamaica National Championships in June. She was a member of the island’s sprint relay squad that won the silver medal at the 2022 World Athletics Championships that concluded at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon on July 24.
Jamaica’s Rasheed Broadbell ran a personal best 13.08 to equal the Commonwealth games record, set by Colin Jackson in 1990, and win gold ahead of Barbados’ Shane Brathwaite (13.30) and England’s Andrew Pozzi (13.37). Olympic champion Hansle Parchment was scheduled to run out of lane three but didn’t turn up for the final.
In the 400m hurdles, Janieve Russell, Shiann Salmon and Rushell Clayton all advanced to the final.
Salmon and Russell ran times of 55.30 and 55.79, respectively, for first and second in semi-final one while Clayton took the second semi-final in 54.93.
Bahamian long jumper Laquan Nairn struck gold in the Men’s long jump with a distance of 8.08m, the same distance as Indian silver medallist Sreeshankar Sreeshankar while South Africa’s Jovan Van Vuuren finished third with 8.06m. Jamaica’s Shawn-D Thompson narrowly missed out on bronze after achieving 8.05m for fourth.
Jamaica's Traves Smikle threw 64.58m for bronze in the Men's discus throw behind Australia's Matthew Denny (67.26m) and England's Lawrence Okoye (64.99m).
The 2019 Pan Am Games Champion, speaking Sportsmax.TV’s On Point, says she’s up to the challenge of competing in both events, even with the limited time between them.
The 2022 Eugene World Championships are scheduled to run from July 15th -July 24th and the Commonwealth Games are scheduled to run from July 28th -August 8th in Birmingham.
“It’s going to be tricky. It will definitely be a very intense next three cycles, but I think it’s do-able for sure,” said Malone.
She also referred to the fact that the US trials are also usually taking place at that time.
“The US athletes normally have their trials and then the World Championships or whatever games they’re preparing for within that period,” she said.
With the condensed nature of track and field for the next few years, Malone went on to say her health is her number one priority this season.
“It’s just about making sure that I can stay healthy. That’s my focus this year. To stay healthy and continue to grow and become a master and student of my craft,” said Malone.
The full interview can be seen on the Sportsmax TV YouTube channel.
“Today, I had the honor of gifting my medals to the Barbados Olympic Association where they can be showcased in their museum for any and everyone visiting to view them,” Williams said on her Instagram page on Thursday.
Williams enjoyed a career best 2022 season in the one lap event.
In July, she ran a personal best and national record 49.75 for bronze at the World Championships in Eugene. She followed that up in August by winning gold at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 49.90 and silver at the NACAC Championships in Freeport in 49.86.
In addition to those medals, Williams also enjoyed four top three finishes on the Diamond League circuit last season. She finished third in Monaco and second in Lausanne and Brussels before crossing the line third once again at the Diamond League final in Zurich.
“I thought it only fitting to share my achievements to the people of Barbados after all the overwhelming support from this past season. To all my fellow Bajan athletes, I hope you take this opportunity and remember that even though we’re from a little island, we can do big things."
Olympic omnium gold medallist Walls, competing for England at the Birmingham 2022 event, was taken to hospital after the shocking incident at the Lee Valley VeloPark centre in London.
He clipped another rider while attempting to avoid a clattering of rivals following an initial crash at a corner and was sent out of control at high speed.
The venue staged track cycling at the London 2012 Olympics, and it had not previously seen such a worrying crash as the one that saw Walls career off course.
The hospital attention was said by team officials to be "precautionary", with Walls "alert and talking" after the crash, which occurred in 15km scratch race qualifying.
Two fellow competitors, Canadian Derek Gee and Isle of Man racer Matt Bostock, were also taken to hospital, while two spectators received treatment.
Birmingham 2022 added on Twitter: "Sending our best wishes to the cyclists and spectators who were injured at the Lee Valley VeloPark this morning and a huge thank you to our medical team for their swift action in helping those involved."
As well as his track commitments, Walls competes in road cycling for the Bora-Hansgrohe team.
In the Pool A encounter Jamaica captain Jhanielle Fowler led the way for the Caribbean team with a game-high 33 from 33 attempts, as they jumped out to a sizeable 18-7 first-quarter lead and never looked back. The Jamaicans began the competition with a 72-34 win over Wales.
Men’s Rugby
Elsewhere, a tough start to the tournament continued for the Jamaica Men’s Rugby Sevens team who remained winless. The team followed up losses to Australia and Kenya with a 40-0 defeat to Uganda and 45-7 loss to England in the Men’s 9-16 Quarter-Final.
Swimming
In the pool, Jamaica’s Kito Campbell qualified to the semi-finals of the Men's 100m Breaststroke after finishing second in the event behind Papua New Guinea’s Ryan Maskelyne. In the Women's 50m Freestyle Mackenzie Headley advanced to the next round after finishing 6th in Heat 8 but failed to advance from semi-final 2.
Cycling
In cycling, Dahlia Palmer failed to advance from the first round of the Women's Sprint – Qualifying after finishing 21st, while Daniel Palmer and Malik Reid failed to advance from the Men's Keirin.
Badminton/Squash
In the Badminton Mixed team event, Jamaica secured a 4-1 over Zambia while in Squash, Chris Binnie received a w/o to the next round after India’s Ramit Tandon forfeited the match.
The year 2022 was a massive one for the 29-year-old LaFond, who won gold at the NACAC Championships in The Bahamas and a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games Birmingham, England. She was also fifth in the finals at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon. However, with that success she has no intention of resting on her laurels as the 2023 season continues to unfold.
"Last season's medals were truly an amazing experience," she told Sportsmax.TV. "To build on last year's success, I have gotten stronger and faster, and I'm eager to see how that translates through the season."
LaFond has set her sights on achieving a jump of 15m or more this year.
"15m plus is definitely one of the major goals for championships and beyond," she said. "This season, we are really focused on upping the energy and working on timing up the phases a bit better for even bigger and active contacts in the jumps."
Despite fierce competition from the imperious Venezuelan triple jumper, three-time world champion Yulimar Rojas, the current world record holder, who has dominated the event in recent years, LaFond maintains a positive mindset.
"I think that my mentality is that I am always battling it out for three medals. Always," said LaFond. "Rojas is very good, there is no denying that, but anything can happen at any meet. Coming into a competition with anything less of that mentality is setting yourself up for failure. I'm bringing my best and trying to win."
Despite the hard work put in during the off season, her indoor season-opener of 14.08m at the Don Kirby Invitational in Albuquerque, New Mexico was less than impressive but being a quick study, she made the necessary adjustments and did much better shortly thereafter popping a 14.60m jump. She cited approach issues for the relatively poor opener.
"One of the major takeaways was to be patient in my drive phase and to bring my knee higher so I'm not getting over-rotated in my second phase," said LaFond who is set to compete next in May at a meet in Savona, Italy.
She acknowledges the impact her recent success has had on the youth of Dominica and is grateful for their support.
“The Commonwealth and NACAC medals were received with such joy in Dominica. I think that as an athlete that lives and trains abroad, I’m really only privy to what people say online,” she said.
“I was grateful for the online posts of love and support that followed those medals. However, when I finally got to go home the love was overflowing. I really had no clue how much I impacted the youth of Dominica and how much I was seen as an inspiration. I am so grateful to have the support of my people and it is always an honor to represent my nation.”
LaFond is also focused on the upcoming World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, with her coach Aaron Gadson. "My plans for Budapest are to go and compete with all my heart. The goal is a medal and 15m. It's time for Dominica to have a woman World medalist, and I'm ready to do the work to get there," she said.
The GCF Federation Court will be responsible for determining disputes that may arise during the Games such as disciplinary, anti-doping, eligibility, safeguarding and selection disputes.
If a case arises, Sport Resolutions will appoint a three-person panel to determine the case. The Federation Court is comprised of members of Sport Resolutions’ highly regarded International Panel from fourteen Commonwealth countries (Australia, Canada, England, Fiji, Guyana, India, Kenya, Malta, New Zealand, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Saint Lucia, Scotland, and Trinidad and Tobago), who will provide a wide range of relevant skill-set and experience.
Dr Crowne’s advocacy in representing Caribbean athletes in contravention of the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) code and other sports-related disputes has earned him a sterling reputation. The New City Chambers attorney will bring that experience to the GCF Federation Court.
“As a member of Sport Resolutions' International Panel of Arbitrators and Mediators, it was a genuine privilege to have been invited to sit on the Federation Court for the upcoming Commonwealth Games. I look forward to helping resolve disputes as they may arise," Dr Crowne told Sportsmax.TV on Wednesday.
The SR-administered Federation Court will be operating primarily remotely, and be active from July 20, 2022, to August 10, 2022.
Sport Resolutions’ Pro Bono Service will also be providing specialist sports law support to the Birmingham Law Society which is offering a free legal advice service to Commonwealth Games participants who need legal advice during the Games.
Competing in the women’s 70 kg category, Daley was outpointed by Australia’s Aoife Coughlan. The Australian was the aggressor from the outset as opposed to the Jamaican who took a more passive approach to the final.
The approach did not pay dividends, however, as Coughlan was handed the win, a golden score in the extra period when a third shido penalty was issued to Daley.
The British-based Drysdale Daley made history by being the first athlete to represent the country at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The medal was the first for Jamaica at the event.
“Happy to announce that I’ve been selected to represent Jamaica at the Commonwealth Games this summer,” said the British-born 24-year-old on her Instagram page.
“To those who have supported me this far…I’m in the best shape of my life and I owe you all thanks for getting me here,” the FIU senior added.
Campbell helped the FIU Women’s Swimming and Diving team finish second overall at the CSCAA (College Swimming Coaches Association of America) National Invitational Championship in Indiana on Thursday.
FIU finished with 623 points behind Ohio State (828 points) and ahead of Tennessee (575.5 points).
Campbell broke a school record to take silver in the 100 Yard Individual Medley in 55.21.
She also broke a program record in the prelims of the 50m butterfly with 23.90 on Tuesday.
In July, Fraser-Pryce won her fifth 100m World title with a 10.67 clocking at the World Championships in Eugene. She also won silver medals in the 200m (21.81) and 4x100m. With just a week between the end of the World Championships and the start of the Track and Field program at the Commonwealth Games, Fraser-Pryce explained that the short turnaround wasn’t ideal for her.
“Well, the Commonwealth Games was just never on the agenda for me this year,” 2022’s fastest woman explained in an interview with Mirror. “Especially because I did the double at the World Championships, it took a lot out of me to do, and the 4x100m.”
"So, to come back maybe a week or two after to do another three rounds and possibly two in the 4x100m, my coach said that would probably be too much for me to handle right now if I’m thinking about longevity and wanting to get to Paris 2024, so I had to be strategic about that,” she added.
Gold Coast staged the Games in 2018 and its mayor Tom Tate said it is “Games ready” after the state of Victoria withdrew as 2026 hosts earlier this week.
Victoria state premier Daniel Andrews cited a rise in estimated costs to at least six billion Australian dollars (just under £3.2bn) as he announced the withdrawal on Tuesday.
“The premier of Victoria’s lemon, the Gold Coast can turn that into lemonade because that’s how we roll,” Tate said in quotes reported by ABC in Australia.
“We can highlight once more that the Gold Coast is going ahead in leaps and bounds.”
Tate said hosting 2026 would give the state of Queensland “momentum” in its journey towards state capital Brisbane hosting the 2032 Olympic Games, but warned federal government funding initially earmarked for Victoria would need to be redirected to his city to make it happen.
Athletics Australia welcomed Tate’s comments, but Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said all efforts must remain focused on the 2032 Olympics.
“Even though the Gold Coast is a wonderful venue, it does have the venues and the infrastructure, it does have the transport, but we cannot afford to spend more money on another games,” she said.
ABC reported Tate had already made contact with officials at the Commonwealth Games Federation, which has been contacted for comment.
CGF chief executive Katie Sadleir told the PA news agency earlier this week her organisation was “open” to offers from any countries interested in hosting, including those within the UK.
A spokesman for London mayor Sadiq Khan said he “stood ready” to support a submission for 2026 but that any decision would need to be taken by the British Government.
Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf said his country would explore the possibility of stepping in, possibly as part of a multi-country bid.
Commonwealth Games Scotland chair Ian Reid has a strong track record in Games delivery, having served as chief financial officer for the Glasgow 2014 organising committee and as chief executive of the Birmingham 2022 Games.
Gold Coast staged the Games in 2018 and its mayor Tom Tate said it is “Games ready” after the state of Victoria withdrew as 2026 hosts earlier this week.
Victoria state premier Daniel Andrews cited a rise in estimated costs to at least six billion Australian dollars (just under £3.2bn) as he announced the withdrawal on Tuesday.
“The premier of Victoria’s lemon, the Gold Coast can turn that into lemonade because that’s how we roll,” Tate said in quotes reported by ABC in Australia.
“We can highlight once more that the Gold Coast is going ahead in leaps and bounds.”
Tate said hosting 2026 would give the state of Queensland “momentum” in its journey towards state capital Brisbane hosting the 2032 Olympic Games, but warned federal government funding initially earmarked for Victoria would need to be redirected to his city to make it happen.
Athletics Australia welcomed Tate’s comments, but Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said all efforts must remain focused on the 2032 Olympics.
“Even though the Gold Coast is a wonderful venue, it does have the venues and the infrastructure, it does have the transport, but we cannot afford to spend more money on another games,” she said.
ABC reported Tate had already made contact with officials at the Commonwealth Games Federation, which has been contacted for comment.
CGF chief executive Katie Sadleir told the PA news agency earlier this week her organisation was “open” to offers from any countries interested in hosting, including those within the UK.
A spokesman for London mayor Sadiq Khan said he “stood ready” to support a submission for 2026 but that any decision would need to be taken by the British Government.
Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf said his country would explore the possibility of stepping in, possibly as part of a multi-country bid.
Commonwealth Games Scotland chair Ian Reid has a strong track record in Games delivery, having served as chief financial officer for the Glasgow 2014 organising committee and as chief executive of the Birmingham 2022 Games.
It was South Africa’s Zeney van der Walt who played the role of a party crasher, unfurling a gritty, brilliant late run to deny the third Jamaican measured for the podium, Rushell Clayton, a place on the platform.
Clayton had looked a lock for the medals early on, even leading the race at the top of the bend, just ahead of Russell. Even after Russell surged past the three Jamaicans were well clear of the field with five metres to go but nobody saw van der Walt. Clayton tied up badly just metres from the line and the South African surged past, her late run taking her almost into second spot.
The Australian finished in 54.47 a new personal best and the same time as Salmon. Russell finished well clear with 54.14 and Clayton further back in 54.67.
