COMMONWEALTH GAMES

TT women’s boxer Tianna Guy, fourth from left, holds the Queen’s Baton at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain, on Wednesday. She is joined by national athletes and former athletes. - Jelani Beckles

TT BOXER Nigel Paul was elated to see his national team-mates and participate in the Queen’s Baton relay as for him it signifies the start of the 2022 Commonwealth Games countdown.

TORCH IN TOWN: British High Commissioner Harriet Cross, centre, hosted a welcome reception to celebrate the arrival of the Queen’s Baton. At left is Minister of Sport Shamfa Cudjoe and T&T Commonwealth Games Association president Brian Lewis. —Photo courtesy UK in Trinidad and Tobago High commission facebook page

BOTH Minister of Sport and Community Development (MSCD) Shamfa Cudjoe and Trinidad and Tobago Commonwealth Games Association (TTCGA) president Brian Lewis hailed the Queen’s Baton—the torch that is used to build awareness ahead of the Commonwealth Games—as a symbol of unity and diversity.

Lovie Santana, the Trinidad and Tobago Chef de Mission for Birmingham 2022, experienced the full range of British weather when attending last month's open days for this year's Commonwealth Games.

Perry is Birmingham 2022’s official mascot!

Fifty-eight countries visited Birmingham as part of Commonwealth Games preparations ©Birmingham 2022

Fifty-eight countries and territories were represented as Chef de Missions and other officials travelled to Birmingham as part of planning for this year's Commonwealth Games.

The CGF is to adhere to the gender guidelines put in place by International Federations for Birmingham 2022 ©Getty Images

A transgender cyclist could compete at this year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham following the approval of new gender rules by the Commonwealth Games Federation.

T&T goal-defence Aniecia Baptiste in action against Jamaica during the opening clash of a three-match series at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston, Jamaica in October 2021. T&T fell to a 71-22 defeat. (Courtesy Netball Jamaica) Netball Jamaica

The "Calypso Girls" will open the netball competition at the Commonwealth Games against host England on July 29 at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.

TIME IS RIGHT: Brian Lewis

Lewis supports Commonwealth Games’ decision to allow podium protests.

T&T Olympic Committee president Brian Lewis.

T&T Olympic Committee president Brian Lewis is pleased by the move of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) in giving athletes the freedom to protest on the podium at this year's event to be held in Birmingham, England.

More than 4,500 athletes are expected to compete at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games ©Getty Images

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is "supportive of freedom of expression" and "understands that athletes may want to make positive expressions of their values", subject to its Charter of Good Conduct.