Baton visits site of historic 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games

The Queen’s baton today travelled north – back to the home of the magnificent 2002 Commonwealth Games . The Baton was welcomed into the City of Manchester stadium by the Lord Mayor of Manchester Alison Firth, who was joined by Chris Newton – fresh from winning gold at the World Track Championships at the Manchester Velodrome.

 With all the regional media present Chris relayed to BBC Manchester how much the Commonwealth Games meant to him. Chris first competed in the Games in 1994, winning the silver medal in the Team Pursuit. He secured both a silver and bronze medal in the Games in Manchester, and won Gold in 2006 Melbourne Games.

Chris was joined by Laura Massaro – British Squash Champion, currently ranked ninth in the world and very much hoping she will compete in her first Games in Delhi. Two faces from the track joined her – Andrew Steele who competed in the 400m in Melbourne, and emerging 100m runner Shauna Tompson, who at just 17 will be a face to watch in the future.

The Commonwealth Games is close to the heart of everyone in Manchester which benefitted enormously from the sporting, infrastructure and volunteer legacy created from the 2002 Games.