Designed by local artist Jadiel Foster, the Baton is a powerful tribute to national identity. It features petroglyphs, traditional drawings, and symbols that honour Garifuna heritage, reflecting the legacy of a resilient Afro-Indigenous people whose roots in St Vincent date back centuries. The national bird, the St Vincent Parrot, appears alongside the country’s flag and colours. Subtle elements of sport are also woven into the design. The aim was to create something that immediately tells the story of St Vincent and the Grenadines, a Baton that reflects where the country comes from and what it stands for.
Residents of Mustique were the first to see the Baton up close as it made its way through the island. The relay began with a symbolic run from the Plant Nursery to Mustique Primary School. Four athlete Batonbearers took part: Nadira Morgan for squash, Afi Lucas for tennis, Tracy Byron for cricket, and Matthew Ballah for swimming. They were joined by students, teachers, and staff. The school children welcomed the Baton with a cultural performance featuring traditional songs.
The visit continued with a tour of island landmarks, including Cotton House, Macaroni Beach, the Commonwealth Seal, and the iconic Basil’s Bar. Mr Roger Pritchard, Managing Director of the Mustique Company, greeted the delegation at the company office and joined in for a commemorative photograph with the Baton. The events ended with a community lunch before the Baton continued to the mainland.
On 13 June, a three-member Batonbearer team hiked up La Soufrière Volcano, carrying the Baton to one of the country’s most breathtaking natural landmarks. That same day, they visited six schools on the Windward side of the island and explored the historic Black Point Tunnel, a national heritage site.
On 14 June, attention turned to environmental action with a River and Beach Plastic Clean-up in the community of Biabou. Organised by the St Vincent and the Grenadines Olympic Committee in partnership with the Caribbean Youth Environment Network, the activity involved selected batonbearers, athletes, and coaches.
Biabou, located on the Windward side of the island, was a deliberate choice. The region is known for its many rivers and is home to several of the country’s athletes. The clean-up site, a river that flows directly into a beach, is being considered by the CGA as a future training and recovery space for athletes. The clean-up formed part of the wider Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign. By the end of the activity, 737 pounds of waste had been collected.
