Queen's Baton Relay Part Two

The magic of the baton. It’s difficult to describe. In reality, it’s  sixty one and a half centimetres of wood and metal, and yet, by that afternoon, as the Games officials took pictures of different people from the crowds holding it, you can see it means a whole lot more. An elderly lady, delight in her eyes at now being properly part of the excitement, passes it on to a young mother carrying her baby in front of her. You can see the curiosity in the child’s eyes. Is it an ice-cream, he seems to question, and his little hand thrusts out to grasp it. That touch, that picture, the smile on his mother’s face, perhaps even a small memory forever nestled in his mind. That is the magic of the baton. It knits us together – people, communities, groups who would never normally interact have the chance to come together because of one common object, leaving us with almost tangible memories and including every one of us in its widely travelled aura.

The Oor Games crew interviewed a lot of people during the day the baton passed around Dundee. And, as apprehensive as most of the interviewees were – something to do with a large fluffy object and huge lens being shoved in their faces apparently – most ended up talking about their role in the baton relay with, at the very least, some amount of enthusiasm. Also, contrary to what they believed, what they were trying to say was perfectly articulate and understandable. One such lady was with Leisure and Culture Dundee. Before I continue, it’s worth mentioning Leisure and Culture are an organisation which provides all kinds of sport, leisure and cultural services to Dundee for us all to enjoy.

Having professed to being of no use in front of a camera with nothing much to say for herself, she didn’t take long to forget the lens and furry mic as she launched into an explanation of her role in the sport area of the organisation and all the work she does for the kids who attend the events she holds.

I for one was impressed – no, inspired – by this lady's passion for getting people active and inspiring a whole new generation to do and be more. I know it sounds cliché – how many times have we heard about someone being inspired by another’s passion – but when you see it in someone, really see it, you can’t help but reflect on your own drives and ambitions. For some, this translates into inspiration. You just want to do something worthwhile.

This fact got me thinking. Mainly about the depth of the Commonwealth Games. Past the events, past the athletes and CEO’s and chairpeople, past the baton even. When you whittle it down, you can only be left with the people.

The Commonwealth is a group of 53 countries and filling these countries are people. The athletes we all see as a result of the Games only make up a tiny fraction of the Commonwealth people and yes, their dedication, energy, fight and skill are exceptionally inspiring for everyone watching on, but the heart of the Games, the reason it is as exciting and inspirational as it is, perhaps the whole reason it exists, is because it showcases our hard working, ambitious, driven people. The wonderful, miraculous, normal people that will sit in the stadium seats  or in front of their television to watch the summer of Games, and who lead the most unselfish, heroic, generous lives and don’t even know it. And when we get to see that these people are amongst us, are just like us, are us, that, I feel, is the inspiration of the Games.

Queen's Baton Relay Part One                                                             Queen's Baton Relay Part Three