Baton leaves for New Zealand

Press, 26 October 1989, Page 36

Baton leaves for New Zealand

NZPA-AP London Three top athletes left Buckingham Palace yesterday bearing the baton containing a message from the Queen to be read out 22,526 km away at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in New Zealand.

The Queen handed the silver baton to the 1986 Games gold medallists Steve Ovett, Sally Gunnell and John Herbertin in the Palace forecourt.

She then watched as the three set off at a gentle jogging pace for the first 3km leg of the marathon relay. The baton, which will be flown to New Zealand, will be carried by an anticipated 14,500 runners before finally entering the Commonwealth Games stadium in Auckland on January 24, where the message to the Commonwealth will be read out by Prince Edward at the opening ceremony.

Steve Ovett, who won the 5000 metres gold medal in Edinburgh, will not be competing in Auckland. "To take part in getting the Queen’s message out to the Commonwealth is a nice way of taking part in the Games,” he said.

The final leg of the London end of the baton relay will be run by the javelin champion, Tessa Sanderson. It will then be taken to Gatwick and from there sent to New Zealand where it will be divided into two sections to cover the North and South Islands.

During the marathon event it will be transported by hot air balloons, boats and on water skis and is expected to help raise £500,000 ($1,351,350) towards the Games.

The last Commonwealth Games, in Edinburgh, were marred by boycotts over Britain’s stand on South

African sanctions but so far there have been no reported threats of similar action against the 1990 Games. “There are always rumours of boycotts,” said Ovett. “I don’t think you can rule out any possibility. I just hope that politicians do not cause any problems because, at the end of the day, it is the athletes who suffer.”

He pointed out that the Commonwealth Games were known as “the friendly games” because of their unique atmosphere. England is sending approximately 300 competitors to Auckland, its biggest contingent to an overseas Commonwealth Games.

“I hope that it will revert to being a festival of sport and not a jousting-ground for politicians,” said Sir Arthur Gold, chairman of the Commonwealth Games council for England.