CITY GOES FOR GOLD

GAMES FEVER ON RELAY RUN

THE Far North is at fever pitch over the Commonwealth Games basketball preliminary rounds and Prince Charles’ visit as the Queen’s Baton spends its final day touring Cairns.

Local sporting heroes basketballer Cameron Gliddon and former rugby league player Justin Hodges both had a go at running the Queen’s Baton through the city yesterday.

“I’ve never been involved in something like that, it was awesome though and it was great to see so many people come out to it from the start,” Gliddon said.

“It means a lot to the guys running, so I’m sure their family and friends will take part for the next leg.”

He said all eyes would be on the basketball preliminaries after the Queen’s Baton left Cairns today.

“To get the preliminary games up here ... the only kind of basketball we get here is the Taipans, which is awesome, but it’s very rare to get this kind of competition here,” he said.

“We should make the most of it. I’m excited.

“I don’t know if Prince Charles will come to our game but that would be a great thrill. I’d like to tell him to come along, watch the green and gold, and enjoy Cairns. I’m sure the weather will be a bit better than good old Britain.”

Hodges said sport would be at the forefront of minds as the start of the Commonwealth Games drew closer.

“The Cairns Taipans have done a wonderful job here, so having the basketball up here is going to make it great,” he said. “You can see the amount of support those guys have here, the stadium is always packed out, so having the Commonwealth Games here is massive.”

Hodges was the last baton bearer for the day yesterday, and said he considered it “a great honour”.

“It’s always good to come home, it’s a special moment to do this. When you look at all the things I’ve done in my sporting career this moment stands out as being pretty special,” he said.

The baton will today tour Yarrabah, with a community celebration at 8.30am at Bishop Malcolm Park.

It will continue its run south with baton bearer Logan Bailey in Mount Sheridan at 10am before leaving Cairns via Edmonton with baton bearer Gavern Lovett at 11.10am.

A community celebration will be held at Walker Road Sports Complex afterwards.

TEAM EFFORT: Student Jacob Beattie is cheered on by his Edge Hill State School mates. Picture: BRENDAN RADKE

STAR POWER: Former Broncos player Justin Hodges runs with the

SUPPORT: Children cheer as the Queen’s Baton Relay runs through Cairns streets yesterday.

PROUD: Junior athlete Chris Fry runs along Sheridan St.

TAIPAN: Cameron Gliddon.

DANCE: Chris Kingsbury and Amy Eden at the baton change.

ROUTE: The Queen’s Baton Relay on Spence St.