Cornwall kicks off Queen's Baton Relay ahead of Commonwealth Games
The baton soared down the Eden Project's famous zip wire on Monday 4th July
Last updated 26th Jul 2022
Cornwall has kicked off the 2022 Queen's Baton Relay ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
The baton set off from the Eden Project near St Austell on Monday morning, before making its way to Plymouth and across the South West.
It is being carried by local community heroes ahead of the major sporting event, being held in Birmingham.
The baton arrived at the Biomes by Royal Mail van at around 6.30am, before travelling down Eden's famous zip wire.
Second-in-line to collect the baton was swimmer Ben Proud, who has been swimming for 10 years and described the moment as "special".
Ben said: "It's very special. I didn't know, coming here this morning, what it would be like but there's a good buzz around here today.
"As a swimmer, I've always been part of the competitions but I've never actually been a part of the build-up so for me to share this day with my mum is quite special.
"I'll be going for my third Commonwealth Games and looking to retain my titles for the third time round so I'm excited.
"There's been a lot of training but I just wanted to enjoy the experience, make the most of it and to be a part of the build-up so to be here today is great.
"In 2014 I won two golds. 2018, flash forward to then, I retained one of them but I got disqualified on my next so I've been on a mission for four years to come back in good shape and to try and retain the titles.
"I'm a little bit older and more experienced but I'm just here to enjoy it".
Peter Stuart from the Eden Project said: "Mondays don't come better than this do they? The Queen's Baton Relay, all around the Commonwealth, and the first place it's actually going to start from in England before it gets to the Commonwealth Games 28th is here, in our home at the Eden Project; we're bowled over".
Around 200 schoolchildren were there to watch the start of the relay and Peter described the atmosphere as electric.
Talking about the work that has gone into organising the event, Peter said: "I think it's like fairies isn't it? The fairies in the middle of the night - the tooth fairies.
"Obviously a heck of a lot of work has gone in behind the scenes and incredible the team that actually have to make sure the baton gets passed safely around the country; it's fantastic".
The baton then headed off to Plymouth before making its way across the South West and the UK ahead of the Games in Birmingham.
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