Ian Thorpe Carries the Queen's Baton to New Heights

In the hands of one of Australia’s greatest sports stars, the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) Queen’s Baton was tonight atop of one of Australia’s greatest landmarks.

With a sunset backdrop, Ian Thorpe OAM carried the iconic symbol of the Commonwealth Games, the Queen’s Baton, to the summit of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, taking in the breathtaking views of the harbour and the city’s skyline.

Having won five Olympic gold medals and 10 Commonwealth gold medals, Thorpe is Australia’s most successful Olympian and said the BridgeClimb has been on his bucket list for a long time and to carry the Queen’s Baton whilst doing it was an amazing experience.

"It’s very special moment for me to be carrying the Queen’s Baton this evening and showcasing Sydney, my hometown, and Australia to the rest of the world.

"The Commonwealth Games were an important part of my career and the Queen’s Baton should inspire all athletes hoping to compete at GC2018. It’s also a reminder the Games are just around the corner!"

Tomorrow the Queen’s Baton will continue its tour of summertime sporting events, and will visit the Sydney Cricket Ground for the final Ashes Test Match.

It will be back in New South Wales in traditional Relay mode from 28 January where it will visit 28 celebration communities and be carried by more than 470 batonbearers, local legends.

On 3 February in Sydney, the Queen’s Baton will be in the hands of other sporting champions including Glenn McGrath and Liesel Jones. Crowds are encouraged to line the streets and play their part in the GC2018 Queen’s Baton Relay.

All details, including a full list of batonbearers and an interactive map, can be found at gc2018.com.qbr

Follow the Queen’s Baton journey

QBR URL: gc2018.com/qbr

QBR Hashtag: #QBR2018

ENDS

For more information, please contact:

Sarah Owens – sarah.owens@goldoc.com / +61 481 916 084

Media Team, Queen’s Baton Relay

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC)

Trish Quayle – trish.quayle@goldoc.com / +61 466 355 886

Communications and Marketing Manager, Queen’s Baton Relay

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC)

BACKGROUND

The Queen’s Baton has been passed between thousands of people for 288 days across Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas, Europe, Asia and Oceania, building excitement for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018).

In Australia, the Queen’s Baton will traverse 40,000km, travelling through every state and territory for 100 days.

Approximately 3,800 batonbearers will carry the Queen’s Baton through every state and territory in Australia.

During the school holidays, the Queen’s Baton is engaging with thousands of Australians at popular summertime events, iconic locations and children’s hospitals around the country.

The Queen’s Baton will return to New South Wales on 28 January, visiting 28 celebration communities, including Sydney on 3 February.

More than 470 local legends will carry the Queen’s Baton in New South Wales.

The Relay started on Commonwealth Day, Monday 13 March 2017, at Buckingham Palace when Her Majesty placed Her message inside of the Baton.

The GC2018 Relay is the longest and most accessible in history, travelling through the entire Commonwealth for 388 days and 230,000km.

The distinctive design of the GC2018 Queen’s Baton captures the boundless energy of the Gold Coast. In form and inspiration, the Queen’s Baton is a symbol of our past, present and future.

The Queen’s Baton arrives on the Gold Coast for the XXI Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony on 4 April 2018, where HRH The Prince of Wales will remove Her Majesty’s message from the Baton and read it aloud to declare the Games open.

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