Queen’s Baton Relay Passes Through England
The Queen’s Baton Relay which is an important part of the International preparations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi passed through England on its tour of the Commonwealth countries today and was handled by Weightlifters from the England Commonwealth Games Squad and the new BWLA President (and former 3 times Commonwealth Games Gold Medal winner Louis Martin M.B.E).
The Baton arrived at the Queen Alexandria Stadium , Birmingham as part of its national tour before passing into the other Home Countries. It was displayed in various Birmingham schools and colleges before being brought to a packed Alexandria Stadium just after lunch time where it was met by a deputation from British Weightlifting’s Team England along with Louis Martin M.B.E -their new President.
Due to the unavailablility of our British Weightlifters’ Association Chief Executive Steve Cannon , Dr. Chris Freebury the Chairman of England’s Weightlifting Committee was there to meet it alongside Louis Martin M. B.E and two young Commonwealth Games hopefuls from the Midlands area- Hannah Powell (17) from Birmingham and Chris Freebury jnr.(20 ) from Derby.
Hannah and Chris both gave a display of Weightlifting for the assembled crowd with a commentary from Sam Hayer who was England’s Commonwealth Games Youth Coach in Puna, India. This was extremely well received and the young athletes were then asked to pass the Baton to members of British Gymnastics who also gave a short demonstration .
Louis Martin M.B.E added a few words of his own and wished the athletes the very best of luck in their efforts and assured them that the Commonwealth Games was a very friendly affair .
England are now in an advanced stage of preparations for the event having chosen a number of athletes to be included in a regular and structured series of training events at different venues throughout the country up to the competition itself. The final selection of athletes will take place on 26th June 2010 following the British Championships which will be held in Kilmarnock, Scotland.
Dr. C.G. Freebury -Chairman England Weightlifting
