Editing 2002 Commonwealth Games (section)

=== Queen's jubilee baton relay ===
[[File:Bilston St.-Garrick St. - geograph.org.uk - 536739.jpg|thumb|The [[Queen's Baton Relay]] passes through [[Wolverhampton]] before the 2002 Commonwealth Games in [[Manchester]].]]
The [[Queen's Baton Relay#Manchester 2002|2002]] [[Queen's Baton Relay|Queen's Jubilee Baton Relay]], the continuation of a tradition that started with the [[1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games|1958 Games]], consisted of the relay of an electronic baton, containing a personal message from [[Elizabeth II]] across 23 Commonwealth nations. The relay culminated in the arrival of the baton at the City of Manchester Stadium, opening the Games. The speech was then removed electronically from the baton, and read by Her Majesty to open the Games.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Southport Reporter.|url=http://www.southportreporter.com/43/southportreporter43-main.shtml|access-date=2022-11-28|website=www.southportreporter.com}}</ref>

The 2002 Baton itself was designed by a company called IDEO, and was constructed of machined [[aluminium]] with the handle plated for conductivity. It weighed 1.69&nbsp;kg, reached over 710&nbsp;mm, and was 42.5&nbsp;mm to 85&nbsp;mm in diameter. The Queen's message itself was held in an aluminium capsule inserted into the top of the Baton. On either side of the Baton were two [[sterling silver]] coins, designed by [[Mappin and Webb]], which celebrated the City of Manchester as host of the XVII Commonwealth Games.

The Baton was also equipped with sensors that detected and monitored the Runner's pulse rate. This information was then conveyed to a series of [[light-emitting diode]]s (LEDs), via a light behaviour module. The lens then transformed the LEDs into a shaft of bright blue pulsating light which synchronised with each new Runner. The hearts of the Runner and the Baton then beat as one until it was passed on, symbolising the journey of humanity and the essence of life.

The Queen's Jubilee Baton Relay passed through over 500 cities, towns and villages across the UK and the Baton was carried by 5,000 individuals, with each Runner carrying the Baton up to 500 yards, however on Saturday 15 June, the baton was snatched from a runners hand in the town of [[Connah's Quay]], [[Deeside]] in [[north Wales]].

The UK Baton Runners were made up of people from all walks of life including athletes, celebrities and local heroes from all over the country. Around 2500 Jubilee Runners were nominated by the community to carry the Baton, because they made a special contribution to their community or achieved a personal goal against the odds.

The judging of the Jubilee Runners was conducted by a panel of judges under the supervision of The [[Duke of Edinburgh's Award]] in January 2002. The relay was sponsored by [[Cadbury Schweppes]], a major UK confectionery and soft drinks manufacturer.