Crispin Blunt

Commonwealth Games baton relay launched in Westminster

30 October 2009

Crispin Blunt hosts handover ceremony in Parliament

Crispin Blunt MP today welcomed the organising committee of the Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010 to the House of Commons. The ceremony marked the beginning of the relay that will take the baton across the Commonwealth ahead of the launch of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October 2010.

Her Majesty the Queen launched the baton relay at Buckingham Palace on Thursday 29th October alongside the President of India, HE Pratibha Patil. The baton was then handed over to the England Commonwealth Games Team in the presence of Mr Speaker in the House of Commons. The baton will then travel throughout the United Kingdom before heading across the Commonwealth. The baton will reach India in June 2010.

Speaking in the House of Commons today Mr Blunt spoke of the important links fostered through sport and of the special relationship between the United Kingdom and India.

"I am honoured to host the handover ceremony for the 2010 Commonwealth Games and to see the baton taken on by the England 2010 team. I am certain the Delhi Games will be a huge success for India in 2010."