The Cyprus King’s Baton Relay and the four-day program of its route on the island were presented on Wednesday by the Cyprus Olympic Committee, in the context of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The baton will travel through all cities between 20-23 May, passing through historical monuments, cultural landmarks, coastal areas and venues.
The President of the Cyprus Olympic Committee and President of the Cyprus Commonwealth Games Committee, George Chrysostomou, described the King’s Baton Relay as one of the most important traditions of the Commonwealth”, noting that it conveys “the message of unity, friendship and cooperation”.
He said that the baton will make a stop at the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth, where it will be received by Minister Athena Michaelidou.
Deputy High Commissioner of the UK Adam Sambrook said that the redesigned King’s Baton Relay perfectly captures the spirit of a modern and outgoing Commonwealth, adding that for the first time each country has its own baton, designed to reflect its culture and identity.
Paralimni-Deryneia Mayor George Nikolettos said that the King’s Baton Relay unites people of different ages, cultures and different experiences under a common message of optimism and solidarity.
Treasurer of the Cyprus Olympic Committee's athletes’ Committee, Dinos Lefkaritis said that the message of the Games is that participation is as a special experience.
The baton will begin its journey on May 20 from Larnaca Airport and will pass by Larnaca City Hall, Europe Square and the Church of Saint Lazarus. On the same day, it will visit Olympic Committee's sponsor sites and an event hosted by the UK HC.On May 21, the torch will travel to the coastal cities of Paphos and Limassol, passing by the ancient Kourion Stadium, Petra tou Romiou, Paphos Medieval Castle, Limassol Municipal Hall and the Old Port, among other sites.
The route will continue on May 22 in Nicosia, starting from the Olympic Hall and stopping at the Olympic Committee's sponsors, as well as at Eleftherias Square, Nicosia City Hall and the Famagusta Gate. The day will conclude at the True Heart Café with the participation of Special Olympics athletes and representatives of the Autism Association.
On May 23 stops include the Ayia Napa Municipal Hall, the International Sculpture Park, Fig Tree Bay and Paralimni Marina.Relay race will be attended by active and former athletes, volunteers, representatives of organized groups and members of the CWG sponsoring family, conveying the values of the Commonwealth Games namely "Humanity, Equality and Destiny". The Cypriot baton was designed by Elie Salame and artistically captured by Kyprianos Demosthenous.
Source: CNA
