Every four years leading up to previous Commonwealth Games, a single baton travelled around the world to make stops in participating countries and territories.
This time will be different.
In the build-up to the 2026 games in Glasgow, Scotland, each participating jurisdiction will create its own baton to take to the global competition, according to Commonwealth Sports BVI President Ephraim Penn.
Previously, Mr. Penn said, the single baton carried with it a lot of responsibility.
“You’d have a dignitary at the airport receiving this baton with all kinds of electronic gadgets,” he recalled. “It came with security [personnel] and everything.”
‘The announcement came during an April 16 press conference that Commonwealth Sports BVI called to discuss activities leading up to the Glasgow competition, which is scheduled for July 23 to Aug. 2, 2026.
The committee also showed off the baton blank, which was made of ash wood sourced from Scotland.
“The ambition is for each country to decorate their baton, to showcase their cultural wealth. Each nation team will bring the decorated baton to the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games,” Mr. Penn said. “So you take a good look at [the baton] now, [because] the next time it is revealed, you’ll be surprised of the change that’s going to take place.”
The non-profit organisation Creative Waves was tasked with finding the artist to decorate the VI’s baton.
From a video call, Creative Waves Director Sophie Stanton announced the selection of former government chief information officer Desiree Smith.
After the announcement, Ms. Smith suddenly popped in through the door as if she’d been waiting outside.
During the question-and-answer portion of the press conference, Ms. Smith said she was happy to get recognition for her work, as well as having her expenses paid to Scotland, where she will represent the VI among sister Commonwealth countries.
Design plans
About what she plans for the baton, Ms. Smith held her cards close.
“What would be the fun in [telling you] that?” she laughed.
She did, however, offer a few hints.
“There are certain things that I generally use to represent myself and at the same time the Virgin Islands,” she said. “You’ll see elements of the emerald that I tend to incorporate often.”
