CITY SOAKS UP GAMES SPIRIT
TOWNSVILLE- BORN Libby Trickett joined the list of 68 Commonwealth Games baton bearers who hit the Townsville streets yesterday. The five- time Commonwealth Games swimming gold medallist carried the baton along The Strand to an enthusiastic reception.
THE Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay hit Townsville yesterday with king of the North Johnathan Thurston, golden girl Libby Trickett and the glamorous Rachel Finch among the baton bearers.
Hundreds lined the streets of Townsville to catch a glimpse of the Queen’s Baton as it made its way from the West End PCYC to atop Jezzine Barracks.
Crowds cheered as the baton passed them by with the loudest applause saved for Thurston who anchored the relay.
“It’s not quite like a grand final but it’s pretty exciting to be here carrying the baton,” Thurston said. “It’s a huge honour. “Townsville and North Queenslanders love their sports, we have the basketball up here for the Commonwealth Games and no doubt that will be a sellout. As a Cowboys player we get a lot of support up here and it’s great to see a lot of people here and on The Strand to support the Games.”
Trickett, who won five gold medals at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, was the first of the high- profile runners to participate in Townsville.
Fresh from welcoming her second child, Edwina Daisy, into the world three weeks ago, the mum of two managed to get a happy snap with her newborn and the baton.
“The Commonwealth Games is less than three weeks away and it’s really exciting,” she said. “My swimming career started here at Tobruk Pool so it’s really special to be here and it brings back so many memories.”
The high- profile baton bearers mixed with the other 65 people chosen to be part of the relay yesterday on the “party bus” which carried runners to drop- off points.
“The party bus was awesome,” Finch said.
“This is what it’s all about – the community spirit.
“It’s so nice to see everyone in person and it sends goosebumps down your spine, the whole experience.”
Leigh Turner was among the remaining baton bearers and was supported by her family. She was recognised for her contributions to the community through fundraising for cancer research.
“It was very exciting to participate in and interesting to meet with the other runners in my group – there was a whole bunch of people from different backgrounds who have all done some amazing things,” Ms Turner said.
Townsville Police Chief Superintendent Kev Guteridge said the event went off without incident.
“We always plan for contingency and negative things but by and large with the events we have in Townsville we do not have incidents,” he said.
The baton left Buckingham Palace on March 13 last year. Today another 38 baton bearers will carry the Queen’s message through the city with Gorden Tallis the final Townsville carrier at 9.45am before the tour heads to Ayr, Bowen and Airlie Beach.