Dame Denise Lewis has praised the ongoing King’s Baton Relay as a brilliant opportunity to bring out the best in local communities ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
A Symbol of Connectivity
The relay, which travels around the world before the Games, will conclude at the opening ceremony on 23 July in Glasgow, marking the start of the 23rd edition of the event. King Charles III initiated 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 written message from the King and will arrive in England on 26 May, where a series of events will celebrate its six-day stay.
“The baton symbolises connectivity from country to country as it moves around the Commonwealth,” said Lewis, who won Commonwealth Games 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.”
Community Pride and Anticipation
Lewis emphasised the sense of pride for those chosen as 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 when it arrives in the stadium for the first time.”
Lewis was part of the Queen’s Baton Relay in 2002 ahead of the Manchester Games and fondly recalls 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.”
A New Era for the Commonwealth Games
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. These Games will be the first with King Charles III 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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