COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2002

The XVII Commonwealth Games was the most significant multi-sport event to be held in the UK since the Olympics of 1948.

It was the largest ever Commonwealth Games, with athletes of the highest quality from 72 nations competing for Gold in 14 individual sports and three team sports from 25 July - 4 August 2002.

The event coincided with The Queen's Golden Jubilee year, and The Queen performed the opening and closing ceremonies in Manchester. Both ceremonies were staged in the stunning new City of Manchester Stadium in front of a live audience of 38,000.

The Queen launched the countdown to the Games on 11 March 2002, Commonwealth Day, by starting the Jubilee Baton relay across the Commonwealth. In a ceremony at Buckingham Palace, The Queen handed the Baton to Sir Roger Bannister, who in 1954 was the first man to run a mile in under four minutes.

He in turn handed the container, holding the Queen's opening message to the games, to former Olympic gold medallist Sebastian Coe, now Lord Coe, who passed it to other sports stars, including Steve Cram, Sally Gunnell and Austin Healey, as it made its way up the Mall.

The Baton was blessed during the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey, before returning to Buckingham Palace for a reception marking the Queen's 50 years as head of the Commonwealth.

The Queen's Jubilee Baton Relay then travelled through Canada, the Americas, the Caribbean, Asia, Oceania and Europe before arriving in Manchester in late July.

It was handed to The Queen at the opening ceremony by footballer David Beckham and six-year-old Kirsty Campbell.