By Paul Osborne

Tom Daley brought the Queen's Baton to British shores for the first time today ©Glasgow 2014Two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist Tom Daley brought the Glasgow 2014 Queen's Baton back to British shores today as the diver was welcomed to the Jersey harbour of Saint Aubin.

The 19-year-old Olympic bronze medallist was joined by team Jersey medal hopeful and British Indoor Championship shot-putter Zane Duquemin as the duo carried the Baton into the harbour just after 18:00 local time.

"It's been a huge honour to be the first Batonbearer on the British Isles, I've had a great time today in Jersey," Daley said.

"Glasgow 2014 is a huge focus for me - and feeling the enthusiasm and support of the crowds and the commitment of the young athletes I had the opportunity to meet today - makes the Commonwealth Games feel very real.

"It's mad to think that the Baton has already travelled over 190,000 kilometres around the Commonwealth and will be carried by more than 4,000 people on its journey round the Home Nations.

"I'm so pleased I got to play a part in the relay - what a great thing to be a part of."

The Baton touched down at Jersey Airport before being guided to safe ground by air traffic controller Simon Militis, a former Commonwealth Games swimming medallist who won bronze at the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games in the 200 metres backstroke.

Officials from Jersey's Commonwealth Games Association, including its President Alan Cross, received the Baton from European vice-president of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Chris Jenkins in a short, private ceremony before the Baton was passed to Daley for its dramatic reveal to the British public.

The Queen's Baton was carried to the Jersey harbour of St Aubin by Tom Daley and Team Jersey hopeful Zane Duquemin  just after 18:00 local time ©Glasgow 2014The Queen's Baton was carried to the Jersey harbour of St Aubin by Tom Daley and team Jersey hopeful Zane Duquemin ©Glasgow 2014



"We couldn't ask for a better build-up for team Jersey as we draw close to the Games," Cross said.

"It's been a superb day and we are proud to have given the Queen's Baton a great Jersey welcome.

"We thank everyone who came to St Aubin's harbour to join the celebrations and we were delighted to be hosting the chairman of Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, Lord Smith of Kelvin, our Commonwealth Games Federation European vice-president, Chris Jenkins and Glasgow 2014 Ambassador Tom Daley."

The Baton will now take a 32-day journey through Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Northern Ireland, Wales and England before reaching Scotland on June 14.

From there the Baton will embark on a 40-day journey through 400 communities across Scotland before the Glasgow 2014 Opening Ceremony on July 23.

"This is a very proud moment for the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee as the Queen's Baton returns to the British Isles, and we're delighted to be sharing this moment with Jersey," said Organising Committee chairman Lord Smith.

"I'd like to thank the people of Jersey and our partners on the island for showing such generous support for the Baton.

"The Queen's Baton Relay is engaging and tangible proof that the Games are only just around the corner."

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