TORONTO (May 27th, 2022) – Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO) was honoured to welcome The Queen’s Baton Relay to CSIO ahead of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England. This was one of only a few Canadian stops for The Queen’s Baton, as it makes its journey to all 72 Commonwealth Nations and Territories ahead of the 2022 Games.

The Queen’s Baton was welcomed by a group of high performance athletes training at CSIO – all of whom who have either been named to Team Canada or are hopefuls to represent Canada at Birmingham 2022. The group included national team athletes from athletics, para athletics, and wheelchair basketball.

Also on hand to welcome the Queen’s Baton was MP Jean Yip (Scarborough – Agincourt), guests from the University of Birmingham, and many of Commonwealth Sport Canada and CSIO’s staff and partners. The event was emceed by Team Canada 2022 co-Chefs de Missions, Claire Carver-Dias and Sam Effah.

Similar to an Olympic torch relay, the Queen’s Baton Relay is a relay around the world held prior to the beginning of each Commonwealth Games. A tradition since 1958, the Baton Relay began on October 7, 2021, with Her Majesty The Queen placing her Message to the Commonwealth into the Baton. The Queen’s Baton is now on its 294-day long journey to every corner of the Commonwealth where it strives to ignite hope, solidarity and collaboration, as it connects communities, embraces unique cultures, and shares inspirational stories.

Following a formal media event, the athletes training at CSIO, as well as CSIO staff, got to see the Queen’s Baton up-close and have their photo taken with the inspirational object. The Baton itself is entwined with unique components that display connectivity and represent the power of collaboration – cornerstones of CSIO’s team-based approach to elevating people and performances.

CSIO is delighted that six of its sport science and sport medicine practitioners will be in Birmingham to provide best-in-class support to Team Canada athletes as they compete at the Games.

Get ready to cheer on Team Canada at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games from July 28 – August 8, 2022 – Go Canada Go!

QUOTES:

“CSIO was excited to host The Queen’s Baton on it’s journey throughout the Commonwealth. It represents the Commonwealth uniting – the connection, the collaboration, and the celebration – all combined with the excellence of sport. Having The Queen’s Baton at CSIO was a great inspiration for the high performance athletes training in our space, as well as our staff, many of whom will be on the ground providing sport science and sport medicine support to Team Canada’s athletes at the 2022 Games.”

Ian Gordon

Chair, Canadian Sport Institute Ontario

“As the very first host of the Commonwealth Games back in 1930, Canada has a very special connection with the Commonwealth Games, and is well aware of the inspiration the Games hold. Whether preparing to send a team to the next Games or hosting a Games in Canada, the Queen’s Baton and Relay both inspire current athletes and a new generation about the value and power of the Commonwealth sport movement.”

Richard Powers

President, Commonwealth Sport Canada (CSC)

About Canadian Sport Institute Ontario

Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO) is a non-profit organization committed to the pursuit of excellence by providing best-in-class programs, services, and leadership to high performance athletes, coaches, and National and Provincial Sport Organizations to enhance their ability to achieve international podium performances. Our team of expert staff deliver sport science, sport medicine, life services, and coaching and technical leadership support to help Canada win medals and strengthen the sport system in Ontario and Canada. CSIO is part of the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network, working in partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Own the Podium, and the Coaching Association of Canada. CSIO is further supported by funding partners such as the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries and Sport Canada. www.csiontario.ca

ABOUT TEAM CANADA 2022

The 2022 Commonwealth Games will be host to 72 participating nations and territories taking part in the Games. The Commonwealth Games are a valuable opportunity as a steppingstone and development opportunity for Canadian athletes, coaches, and managers working towards Olympic and Paralympic success. Canada’s performance projection in 2022 is a top 3 ranking, in total medals, amongst all nations and territories competing. Commonwealth athletes won 80%+ of Canada’s medals at the 2020 Olympic Games.

Team Canada’s dedicated mission team will provide an optimal environment by celebrating equality, diversity, and non-discrimination. This is in support of our goals needed to enable a best ever performance by Canadian athletes at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

ABOUT COMMONWEALTH SPORT CANADA

Commonwealth Sport Canada (CSC) is the franchise holder for the Commonwealth Games and the Commonwealth sport movement in Canada. CSC is an active, contributing member of the Canadian sport community and supports Canada’s athletes to achieve excellence at Olympic, Paralympic Games, and world championships. The mission of CSC is to enrich the lives of youth across the Commonwealth and host the Commonwealth Games. CSC is responsible for all aspects of Canada’s participation in the XXII Commonwealth Games and will be sending a team of almost 400 of Canada’s best athletes and coaches to compete for Canada. The upcoming Games will occur in Birmingham, England from July 28 through to August 8, 2022. For additional information go to: www.commonwealthsport.ca

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Media Contacts:

Laura Albright, Senior Advisor, Communications & Marketing

Canadian Sport Institute Ontario

Tel: 647.395.7536

Email: lalbright@csiontario.ca  

www.csiontario.ca

Patrick Kenny

Communications Team Leader – Team Canada 2022

Tel: 613.724.7160

Email: patrick@commonwealthsport.ca