The recent arrival of the Queen’s Baton Relay was, as the Turks and Caicos Weekly News said, “…three days of immense patriotism…” for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
It brought together young and old, politicians from both parties, athletes and businesspeople. I was able to share the enthusiasm it generated with hundreds of participants and those who cheered the runners along the route in Providenciales.
From near the airport to a blaze of sound and colour on Grace Bay the Relay captured everyone’s imagination and was like a sprinkling of magic dust on the streets.
No event involving so many happens without a lot of quiet work in the background, provided by Rita Gardiner, President of TCI’s Commonwealth Games Association and her team of volunteers.
Everyone in Turk and Caicos should be proud of the organisation of the event, which the visitors from Scotland noted was as good or better than any they had seen on the long journey which started months ago outside Buckingham Palace and has been through over 50 countries.
So the arrival of the Baton not only stimulated a lot of enthusiasm here, but has again highlighted the country’s international standing.
We are among 70 countries which will be sending athletes to take part in the 20th Commonwealth Games this July.
Tickets for the two week event are already sold out, so our small team will be taking part on the world stage when they step on to Glasgow’s stadiums to represent TCI.
There is no greater honour for an athlete than to represent their country, and I am delighted that Turks and Caicos will be on the international map this summer.
The Honorary Secretary of the Commonwealth Games Federation, Louise Martin, told me she thought the finale TCI had arranged for the Queen’s Baton was as exciting as any she had seen on her travels with the Baton.
I hope that everyone who took part in the Relay, and who supported it, will have the opportunity to share in the excitement of the Games, and in particular feel proud as they see the Baton which was carried through TCI’s streets and its beaches handed to Her Majesty the Queen – whose Birthday we celebrate next month – this July.
