Baton to return to Rutherglen
Cuningar Loop treat for Commonwealth Games fans
The Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay will return to Rutherglen three years since it last passed through the town.
Team Scotland have confirmed Cuningar Loop will be on the route when the baton arrives in the country next month. Residents will be able to get a glimpse of the baton and take part in open events on August 22 in the park. The baton will be in Glasgow that day as part of a five-day trip to Scotland on its way to the Gold Coast in Australia where the next Commonwealth Games will be held. Camglen Bike Town will be involved as they ride the baton through the popular woodland facility. A spokesman for Bike Town said: “Bike Town is delighted to be involved with the Queens Baton Relay at Cuningar Loop. “It’s always exciting to have an opportunity to promote cycling to local residents and also to be part of some of that same buzz there was in 2014.” Cuningar Loop is a Commonwealth Games legacy project that followed on from the 2014 event in Glasgow. In the lead up to those games, the baton visited Rutherglen, with thousands of people lining the Main Street to celebrate.
A whole day of events took place in what proved to be a fine start to a busy summer.
The games in Glasgow went on to be a huge success.
Paul Bush OBE, chair, Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “The Queen’s Baton Relay is an iconic symbol of the Commonwealth Games and we look forward to welcoming the baton to Scotland next month.
“We have had tremendous enthusiasm and support from local authorities, schools and community groups across the country, helping to organise an exciting programme of events which will use the QBR to connect their communities with the games and embrace the values of the Commonwealth movement as a whole.
“The public support Team Scotland enjoyed for Glasgow 2014 was phenomenal and I look forward to seeing that passion sparked once again, as the baton’s journey through Scotland marks the final countdown to the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
“I hope everyone across the country will get behind the athletes vying for selection for the team and play their part in supporting them as they prepare to compete with distinction on the other side of the world next April.”