MEDIA RELEASE
16 May 2010
For immediate release:
QUEENS BATON RELAY BRINGS EXCITEMENT TO SCHOOLS
The Queens Baton Relay gets underway in New Zealand tomorrow (eds. Monday 17 May 0930am) as Olympic and Commonwealth athletes Hayley Palmer, Daniel Bell and Sam Webster take the baton to thousands of school children in Manukau City.
New Zealands most medalled Commonwealth athlete, Danyon Loader, will lead the team as primary and secondary students begin the relay at Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate in Manukau City before taking the Queens Baton around ten schools in the South Auckland region over two days.
Loader, who competed at the Auckland (1990), Victoria (1994) and Kuala Lumpur (1998) Commonwealth Games is looking forward to taking the Queens Baton to young New Zealanders.
The Queens Baton Relay brings the excitement and community atmosphere of the Commonwealth Games to New Zealand. The school students will have a chance to share in something exciting, said Loader, who is also an Olympic Ambassador. The students will have a chance to talk to me and the other athletes and I hope our stories can help inspire them to succeed.
New Zealand Olympic Committee Barry Maister says the Commonwealth Games are a unique and exciting event. The arrival of the Queens Baton heralds the start of the Commonwealth Games campaign in New Zealand. Athlete selections are set to get underway and our team will be finalised in August, two months ahead of the October games, he said. The Commonwealth Games will provide some exciting and tough competition for New Zealand athletes.
The Queens Baton, which carries a message from Queen Elizabeth II to the athletes of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, will travel a total of 190,000 around 70 commonwealth countries. The New Zealand legs of the relay take place on days 201 and 202 of the batons journey around the world. The relay will end on October 3rd in New Delhi at the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.
The launch of the NZOCs Delhi team campaign will coincide with the Queens Baton Relay and an announcement will be made at Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate on Monday morning.
The schools taking part in the relay all participate in Sir John Walkers Find Your Field of Dreams (FYFOD) schools which promotes activity in young people from Manukau City. The NZOC an official programme partner as part of its work to inspire young people to excel through sport.
Danyon Loader has won three bronze medals and one gold medal at Commonwealth Games in addition to his two Olympic gold and one silver medal.
- ends -
Notes to editor:
Media opportunities will be available as follows:
May 17th 2010
0930h Queens Baton arrives at Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate
1000h Delhi 2010 Campaign launched by NZOC, celebrations and Baton Relay begins.
(Dignitaries and Commonwealth Games athletes including Daniel Bell, Sam Webster, Hayley Palmer present).
Cultural performances, interview opportunities, relay begins
1100 1600 Baton relay takes place at FYFOD schools
1800 1900 Baton and Campaign launch celebration at Sky City
May 18th 2010
1030 1600 Queens Baton relay continues in Auckland.
1800 Queens Baton departs New Zealand
The Queens Baton left Buckingham Palace on October 20 2009 and will travel 190,000km through 70 Commonwealth countries before arriving in Delhi, India on 3 October 2010for the Opening of the Delhi Commonwealth Games.
About the New Zealand Olympic Committee
The New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) is an independent organisation responsible for providing inspirational experiences for athletes at the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and Youth Games.
The NZOC actively promotes the history and values of the Olympic Movement through a wide variety of cultural and educational programmes, and operates according to the Olympic Charter and Commonwealth Games Constitution.
The NZOC is funded principally through corporate sponsorship, trusts, Sport & Recreation New Zealand (SPARC) and the International Olympic Committee.
To find out more about the NZOC please visit www.olympic.org.nz
For more information please contact:
Ashley Abbott
Communications Manager
Ph: +64 9 3750040 extn 3
Mb: +64 21 552021]
www.olympic.org.nz
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