0:00:10 > 0:00:11Hello! In eight weeks' time,
0:00:11 > 0:00:14Scotland will welcome the world as Glasgow
0:00:14 > 0:00:17plays host to the 20th Commonwealth Games.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20The traditional curtain-raiser to this festival of sport
0:00:20 > 0:00:23and culture is the Queen's Baton Relay.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29For the last seven months, this baton has travelled the world,
0:00:29 > 0:00:34encouraging athletes from across the Commonwealth to gather in Glasgow.
0:00:35 > 0:00:39Since being launched by Her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace
0:00:39 > 0:00:44last October, the Baton Relay has covered almost 200,000 miles.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50Before it eventually makes its way to Scotland,
0:00:50 > 0:00:52it will have visited each of the 70 nations
0:00:52 > 0:00:55and territories that make up the Commonwealth.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05As the baton makes its way towards the final destination
0:01:05 > 0:01:08in Glasgow, it will spend four days travelling
0:01:08 > 0:01:12around Northern Ireland and that journey began here, at Stormont.
0:01:12 > 0:01:13BAGPIPES PLAY
0:01:13 > 0:01:16The first official task was the reception of the baton
0:01:16 > 0:01:19by the First and Deputy First Ministers.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22Dame Mary Peters was on hand to do the honours.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27'Then groups of children from four of the local schools were
0:01:27 > 0:01:30'the first to get their hands on the baton and start its journey
0:01:30 > 0:01:35'around the country with a walk down Stormont's Prince of Wales Avenue.'
0:01:35 > 0:01:39What does it mean to you to know that you've played a part in this?
0:01:39 > 0:01:42Just really...happy
0:01:42 > 0:01:46because not loads of people can do this, so it's nice.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49It was kind of heavy but it was a really cool pattern,
0:01:49 > 0:01:52it had like metal patterns and the Queen's message lit up inside.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54How does it feel to be here now?
0:01:54 > 0:01:58Quite tired because of running up that hill, first of all!
0:02:03 > 0:02:07From Stormont, it was a short trip down the road to Bangor and an early
0:02:07 > 0:02:11chance for the public to see the baton at the Aurora Aquatic Centre.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18The next generation of potential Games athletes were on hand
0:02:18 > 0:02:20to welcome the baton to County Down.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27Andy, great to have the baton here down at the Aurora Centre in Bangor,
0:02:27 > 0:02:28you must be delighted.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31It's really good to see it, it's the first time I've seen it,
0:02:31 > 0:02:32so it's great to have it here.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35It builds the excitement going into Glasgow.
0:02:38 > 0:02:39I train here every day
0:02:39 > 0:02:43and I'm training really hard for the Commonwealths.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46The baton has travelled so far and now it's nearly in Glasgow,
0:02:46 > 0:02:48something like 60 days until the Games,
0:02:48 > 0:02:50so it's really exciting times.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58One man who has already secured a Commonwealth gold medal no less,
0:02:58 > 0:03:01is Paddy Barnes, the boxer. Paddy, an impressive piece of kit there.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04You won that out in Delhi, isn't that right?
0:03:04 > 0:03:07Yes, this time, four years ago, I was in Delhi in my second Commonwealth
0:03:07 > 0:03:12Games and I had four hard fights for the gold medal, it was brilliant.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15It's great that our people are feeling part of the Games
0:03:15 > 0:03:19and it also raises awareness - not for the Commonwealth Games,
0:03:19 > 0:03:21but for sport, as well.
0:03:21 > 0:03:22Paddy, you've already got this gold,
0:03:22 > 0:03:26- obviously hoping for another gold this year?- Definitely.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28I train just to win gold.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30I'll be going to Glasgow for gold -
0:03:30 > 0:03:32- anything else would be a failure. - Well, every success - good luck.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34Thanks very much, Paddy.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36CROWD CHEERS
0:03:40 > 0:03:42I'll never forget the Commonwealth Games
0:03:42 > 0:03:45because when I look back over my life and my career,
0:03:45 > 0:03:49it was arguably the best time of my amateur days in boxing.
0:03:53 > 0:03:57That gold medal bout actually was the hardest fight I think
0:03:57 > 0:03:59I've ever had in amateur boxing.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02I was hit certainly the hardest that I'd ever been hit before.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06I fought a guy from Papua New Guinea
0:04:06 > 0:04:10who'd knocked everybody out in the preliminaries
0:04:10 > 0:04:15and Gerry Storey and Pat McCrory had kept that knowledge away from me!
0:04:17 > 0:04:20I remember standing on the side of the arena warming up
0:04:20 > 0:04:22before we went out and I looked across and saw this guy,
0:04:22 > 0:04:24he was enormous, muscles everywhere.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27I was thinking, "That must be the light welterweight,"
0:04:27 > 0:04:30because every two weight divisions were warming up together.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32They said, "No, that's your opponent!"
0:04:32 > 0:04:34I remember thinking, "Wow, I'm in trouble here."
0:04:37 > 0:04:40He dropped me in the second and wobbled me in the third
0:04:40 > 0:04:42and I was lucky to get a close decision.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47For me, it was BBC Television for two weeks.
0:04:47 > 0:04:52National exposure took Harry Carpenter about three days to
0:04:52 > 0:04:55learn how to pronounce my name properly!
0:04:55 > 0:04:59That all started in Edmonton, Canada, in 1978 -
0:04:59 > 0:05:01a 17-year-old boy.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05Standing on that rostrum afterwards, I think
0:05:05 > 0:05:10it all got the better of me and I became a little tearful
0:05:10 > 0:05:12and emotional, but I think we're all due that.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20And Barry really hasn't changed a bit.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25From Bangor, the baton made its way towards Carrickfergus
0:05:25 > 0:05:28and with the help of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution,
0:05:28 > 0:05:30it took the scenic route.
0:05:35 > 0:05:40At Carrickfergus, the baton party was piped ashore by sea cadets
0:05:40 > 0:05:44who had come from all over Northern Ireland to join in the celebrations.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53And next off is the Sports Institute of Northern Ireland
0:05:53 > 0:05:56here at the University of Ulster in Jordanstown.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59We've worked with a range of athletes
0:05:59 > 0:06:01across a wide variety of sports.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04Our focus is really to try and get them prepared
0:06:04 > 0:06:07and help support them in their performances at world
0:06:07 > 0:06:10competitions and the Commonwealth Games particularly this year.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12How well-prepared are our athletes this year?
0:06:12 > 0:06:16I really have to say the facilities, the system
0:06:16 > 0:06:20and preparation is certainly the best I've ever experienced.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22Our athletes are very well prepared.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24We have a wraparound service around so many of them
0:06:24 > 0:06:27and are really looking forward to seeing how they do.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31Our women's netball team are about to write
0:06:31 > 0:06:33themselves into the sporting history books.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36It's the first time a women's team has qualified to represent
0:06:36 > 0:06:39Northern Ireland at any Games.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42Now, we heard they were a competitive bunch,
0:06:42 > 0:06:46so we sent them out for a bit of team building with a difference.
0:06:46 > 0:06:47My name is Hannah Willis,
0:06:47 > 0:06:50I'm the captain of the Northern Ireland netball team.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53I'm Fionnuala Toner and I play wing defence, goal defence.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58I'm Kate Carpenter and I'm the high-performance coach.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01I'm Niamh Cooper and I'm wing defence centre.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11It's huge for Northern Ireland to qualify for the Commonwealth Games.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13It's the first time we, as an organisation, have done that.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16I think we're the first female team to qualify as a team.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18It's a big achievement for us.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21It's something we've been working towards for the past five years
0:07:21 > 0:07:23and gradually building up.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26Kate has been with us now for the past year.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29Obviously getting a full-time head coach in the lead-up to the
0:07:29 > 0:07:33- Commonwealth Games has been fantastic.- She's very experienced.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36She brings a lot of knowledge from the southern hemisphere.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38Tactical things, technical points
0:07:38 > 0:07:40and it really has enhanced our gameplay.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43I think the biggest difference is that the girls train more.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46There's higher expectations around that
0:07:46 > 0:07:50and the girls play more competitive matches, so we tour more, we host
0:07:50 > 0:07:52more international teams
0:07:52 > 0:07:55and the more that happens, the better we get.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57On and off the court, we're very close.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01We spend a lot of time together and do court sessions every week.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04There's a lot of banter on and off the court,
0:08:04 > 0:08:05but when we do come on court,
0:08:05 > 0:08:09we all play for each other and that's a great aspect of our team.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11It is a competitive squad - there's 19 of us at the minute
0:08:11 > 0:08:14all fighting for 12 spaces to go to the Commonwealths.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17Everybody wants to go and everybody has got a good chance of going,
0:08:17 > 0:08:20so that's what you want on a squad - people fighting for positions.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22It's fantastic.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25Every time you're training, people are fighting for every single spot.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27Everyone wants to get better and better
0:08:27 > 0:08:30and that's what makes them a team.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32A lot of hard work and dedication has gone into it over
0:08:32 > 0:08:35the past couple of years so I think it'll be a very special moment.
0:08:35 > 0:08:36To play for my country
0:08:36 > 0:08:39in the Commonwealth Games really would just mean everything to me.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41As a young player in the sport,
0:08:41 > 0:08:43I just couldn't imagine anything better.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46It'll be an amazing feeling walking out into the arena,
0:08:46 > 0:08:49especially being captain as well, so that makes an added bonus to it all.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51It's the best achievement to represent your country
0:08:51 > 0:08:53and to do it at the Commonwealth Games is
0:08:53 > 0:08:55amazing for me and for the team.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58And good luck to the girls in Glasgow.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01Now, when it comes to bringing home the medals, you can
0:09:01 > 0:09:04usually rely on our bowlers, so where better for the baton
0:09:04 > 0:09:07to make a stop than here, at the Ballymena Bowling Club.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13What is it about bowls and Northern Ireland?
0:09:13 > 0:09:16Why do you think we've had so much success over the years?
0:09:16 > 0:09:18I think it's the game itself.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20There's so much camaraderie in it
0:09:20 > 0:09:22and also so much
0:09:22 > 0:09:26that they're all wanting to compete in it.
0:09:26 > 0:09:27And looking ahead to Glasgow,
0:09:27 > 0:09:30what are the prospects for Northern Ireland this year?
0:09:30 > 0:09:32We're hoping to do well
0:09:32 > 0:09:35because we have been really putting a lot of work into it.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37We've been practising from October.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40The girls have been all together from there and we are over
0:09:40 > 0:09:42at Glasgow for a test series, there on the greens,
0:09:42 > 0:09:44so we did well over there.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47- We're keeping our fingers crossed. - Fingers crossed for some medals.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49Yes!
0:09:51 > 0:09:55Of course we can't talk about bowls without reflecting on the success
0:09:55 > 0:09:56of our greatest ever bowler,
0:09:56 > 0:09:58Bellaghy's finest, Margaret Johnston.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10I was very lucky I was selected to take part in such
0:10:10 > 0:10:12a Commonwealth Games.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17The first games was in Edinburgh
0:10:17 > 0:10:20and I was green, I knew nothing!
0:10:20 > 0:10:22It was absolutely amazing.
0:10:24 > 0:10:28The opening ceremony, the excitement is unbelievable.
0:10:28 > 0:10:32You sweep into the stadium as a group and the people
0:10:32 > 0:10:35are cheering and flags are waving
0:10:35 > 0:10:37and everybody is on a high.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43You're waving at the crowd and smiling and definitely,
0:10:43 > 0:10:45as an experience,
0:10:45 > 0:10:48if you ever get the chance to get it, take it,
0:10:48 > 0:10:50because it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58You like to represent the country you've been born in.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04It's something that people really strive for in their sport.
0:11:08 > 0:11:13Everybody strives for gold, but any medal - silver, bronze,
0:11:13 > 0:11:15gold, we all strive for the gold one,
0:11:15 > 0:11:19and whenever you get the gold, you know you've made it!
0:11:30 > 0:11:33Day two started with the baton making an early morning crossing
0:11:33 > 0:11:36of Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49And after that, it was a short trip round the north coast to the
0:11:49 > 0:11:51world-famous Giant's Causeway.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03The baton has now actually been travelling around the Commonwealth for the past seven months
0:12:03 > 0:12:06and world-record-breaking cyclist Mark Beaumont has had the pleasure
0:12:06 > 0:12:09of travelling with it every step of the way - you're a lucky boy, Mark.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13- There must have been some exciting moments along the way.- Absolutely.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16It's been an amazing pace to see the Commonwealth,
0:12:16 > 0:12:18between two to four days per country,
0:12:18 > 0:12:2063 nations and territories before it
0:12:20 > 0:12:23got back to the British Isles. Of course, meeting so many
0:12:23 > 0:12:26of the athletes who will be competing in Glasgow
0:12:26 > 0:12:29and tens of thousands of other people who won't get a chance to be
0:12:29 > 0:12:32there at the Games, but got a chance to be a part of the relay.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34And we saw some wonderful celebrations -
0:12:34 > 0:12:37some real highlights for me were places like Papua New Guinea,
0:12:37 > 0:12:39wonderful street scenes there.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41Some of the remote islands of the Pacific like Nauru
0:12:41 > 0:12:43and then into Africa, seeing it landing in Sierra Leone
0:12:43 > 0:12:45on New Year's Day will always stay with me.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48You've seen so many beautiful places around the world,
0:12:48 > 0:12:50how does this compare, at the Causeway?
0:12:50 > 0:12:52This is incredible, this is stunning.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55This is about as close as you can get to Scotland - it's only about 40 miles.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57It's a stone's throw, as Finn the giant would tell you.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01So it's an amazing place to bring the Queen's baton.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04I think the symbology of the causeway and the link to Scotland
0:13:04 > 0:13:07and of course the athletes who are making their way to Glasgow
0:13:07 > 0:13:09- in a very short time is fantastic. - You're almost home now.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11Absolutely, it's been an incredible journey.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14- Well, enjoy the rest - thanks, Mark. - Thank you.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23From the Causeway, the baton made its way to Ballycastle
0:13:23 > 0:13:27and then across to Rathlin Island where 11-year-old Ryan Cecil
0:13:27 > 0:13:31had the honour of delivering the baton to his island community.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36I felt good because not many people get to carry the baton.
0:13:38 > 0:13:39Yeah, it was good.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45And what was it like arriving here in the dock down at Rathlin harbour?
0:13:45 > 0:13:49It was good because everyone was there to meet me
0:13:49 > 0:13:53and I got a lot of photos and stuff.
0:13:54 > 0:13:55Were there ANY nerves?
0:13:55 > 0:13:57Er, yeah!
0:13:57 > 0:13:59- Just a few?- Yeah!
0:14:01 > 0:14:04It was quite a day for all eight pupils from St Mary's primary school
0:14:04 > 0:14:07as they each had the chance to carry
0:14:07 > 0:14:10the baton on its journey across the island.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14You've got the baton here, the Queen's baton -
0:14:14 > 0:14:16- how does it feel to have it at your school?- It feels amazing!
0:14:16 > 0:14:19It feels like a real honour to have it here
0:14:19 > 0:14:22and it's a real privilege as well.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25What did you think when you heard the baton was coming to your school?
0:14:25 > 0:14:28I was really excited
0:14:28 > 0:14:31and I got really jumpy!
0:14:32 > 0:14:35It probably won't come here again,
0:14:35 > 0:14:38so it's a real privilege and I'm really excited.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44What did you think when you saw the baton arriving at your school?
0:14:44 > 0:14:46I thought it was quite good.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49- And did you get to hold it?- Yes!
0:14:49 > 0:14:52- How did it feel? - It feeled quite heavy.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56What did everybody in the school think
0:14:56 > 0:14:58when you saw it coming up the hill?
0:14:58 > 0:15:00I'm not sure what everybody else thought.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03I was just like, "Whoa, that's a lot of people."
0:15:05 > 0:15:07It was really exciting for the children.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09It was once in a lifetime as well.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13We had a relay up the hill towards the school, and each child,
0:15:13 > 0:15:16from the oldest child to the youngest child, participated.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18They were so proud.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22We've talked about the Commonwealth and how important it is
0:15:22 > 0:15:23to be a good citizen.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26The children here in Rathlin have a fantastic sense of community, and
0:15:26 > 0:15:30I think that's what the Commonwealth Games is all about - a community.
0:15:30 > 0:15:31Our children do a lot of work
0:15:31 > 0:15:34with the older residents of the community,
0:15:34 > 0:15:36and they really wanted the older members of the community
0:15:36 > 0:15:40to be up at the school today to see them receive the Baton as well.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47This is marvellous and great.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50I'm glad that I lived so long to see it happen.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08The Baton's back on the water again as it makes its way up
0:16:08 > 0:16:09the Foyle towards Londonderry.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17It was then transferred to a rowing eight,
0:16:17 > 0:16:19and at the helm, but just for the day,
0:16:19 > 0:16:21international triathlete Aileen Reid.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28What a fabulous day for it. I can't believe the sun stayed out today.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31What a great day to go down the Foyle. Fantastic.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33All set for the Commonwealth Games?
0:16:33 > 0:16:35I'm sure this has really whetted your appetite,
0:16:35 > 0:16:37setting the scene for what lies ahead.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40Yes, I'm very excited to compete on what's almost home soil,
0:16:40 > 0:16:44just across in Glasgow is just a short hop, skip and jump.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47How nice was it for you coming up the Foyle and seeing all your
0:16:47 > 0:16:51friends and family and fans here before you head off to the Games?
0:16:51 > 0:16:53Yes, I spotted a couple of faces in the crowd that I know,
0:16:53 > 0:16:57and I saw my mum and dad there, down near the council offices.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59So, yeah, it's fantastic that people have come out
0:16:59 > 0:17:02to celebrate it and welcome here in Prehen.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15Day three, and after a dawn visit to Devenish Island, the Baton
0:17:15 > 0:17:19has made its way to its furthest point west, with a stop at Belleek.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29Visitors from other parts of the Commonwealth had the chance
0:17:29 > 0:17:32to grab a few unexpected photos.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38From County Fermanagh to County Tyrone, and an enthusiastic
0:17:38 > 0:17:41crowd had gathered at Peatlands Park to join in the Baton experience.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55Of course, there's always time for a bit of fun along the way.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57However, this is one sport that will definitely not be
0:17:57 > 0:17:59featuring at the Commonwealth Games,
0:17:59 > 0:18:02but we are the best in the world at it - bog snorkelling.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13It was wet, dirty and smelly, but terrific. Absolutely terrific.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17We're all into sport for all.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19Not everybody will be going to Glasgow as an elite athlete,
0:18:19 > 0:18:21but lots and lots of people can come to Peatlands
0:18:21 > 0:18:24and take part in bog snorkelling.
0:18:24 > 0:18:25Absolutely fantastic.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28How did you get roped into doing it?
0:18:28 > 0:18:29I think I was the one stupid enough,
0:18:29 > 0:18:32either that or I was out of the room at the time
0:18:32 > 0:18:34and they decided that I would be the one.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37Next time, I wouldn't leave the room so early.
0:18:37 > 0:18:38Now the next stop on the journey
0:18:38 > 0:18:41was at Killicomaine Junior High School in Portadown.
0:18:45 > 0:18:46Robert, as chairman
0:18:46 > 0:18:48of the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Committee,
0:18:48 > 0:18:51how important is it to get the message across that
0:18:51 > 0:18:54the Commonwealth Games are happening and we're very much part of it?
0:18:54 > 0:18:57Well, it's very important for us as a team. We need the support.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00We need the support of everybody in Northern Ireland
0:19:00 > 0:19:01to get behind the team.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05There's no better way to do it than in sunshine, with children
0:19:05 > 0:19:07and with the Queen's Baton here.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11And as the Baton hit the road, there was
0:19:11 > 0:19:14an opportunity for hundreds of schoolchildren to join in the relay.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20Nothing was going to stop its progress.
0:19:47 > 0:19:48Pull!
0:20:02 > 0:20:04Then on to Tandragee.
0:20:06 > 0:20:07Well, I was quite excited.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11Seeing the Commonwealth Baton is such a worldwide thing.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15It was really enthralling to be able to carry it through Tandragee.
0:20:17 > 0:20:18It was very impressive, so it was.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21Especially with the letter from the Queen inside it.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30Marksman David Calvert is Northern Ireland's most successful
0:20:30 > 0:20:32Commonwealth Games athlete, and this year,
0:20:32 > 0:20:37he will compete in a record-breaking tenth Games.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41David has already won an amazing four gold medals at the Games.
0:20:41 > 0:20:42This time round,
0:20:42 > 0:20:47he's hoping to pass on some of those winning ways to the next generation.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51Full-bore rifle shooting is long-range rifle shooting.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54It's full-bore because it's a larger calibre bullet,
0:20:54 > 0:20:55just a heavier bullet.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02We fire at ranges from 300 yards, which is the shortest range,
0:21:02 > 0:21:04back to 1,000 yards, so over half a mile.
0:21:06 > 0:21:07The effect of wind is really significant,
0:21:07 > 0:21:09particularly at the longer distances.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13A strong wind blowing from the side would actually blow
0:21:13 > 0:21:15the bullet about 15 feet.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19If you bear in mind that the target itself
0:21:19 > 0:21:22is only five feet from the centre to the edge,
0:21:22 > 0:21:24then the wind has a huge effect.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37We actually do work very much as a team in the pairs competition.
0:21:38 > 0:21:43It involves one of us actually doing the basic skill
0:21:43 > 0:21:46of shooting the rifle and aiming...
0:21:48 > 0:21:52..and the second member of the team doing the coaching.
0:21:52 > 0:21:57This time, David will be shooting with 23-year-old Jack Alexander.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59I've been coming to Bisley my whole life,
0:21:59 > 0:22:01keeping the scoreboards for the Ireland team
0:22:01 > 0:22:04before I was able to pick up a rifle, basically.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07It can be a bit intimidating working with David,
0:22:07 > 0:22:10someone who's as high profile as he is.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12You want to please him as best you can.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17He's got great potential,
0:22:17 > 0:22:20and he's already performing at a very high standard.
0:22:21 > 0:22:26I hope that with my experience and his talents,
0:22:26 > 0:22:31we can both help contribute towards the team event, the pairs event.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36When we train or compete, we exchange information,
0:22:36 > 0:22:38we learn from each other.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41'You're never too old to learn.'
0:22:41 > 0:22:44Get the technique right, as best as we can.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47'It's very supportive having David as my partner,'
0:22:47 > 0:22:51for someone who's been there and done it as many times as he has.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54'Any questions, queries I have, he's there to answer them
0:22:54 > 0:22:56'and to put me at ease about them, really.'
0:22:58 > 0:23:01'Working with David has been a huge gain for me'
0:23:01 > 0:23:03in lots of different ways.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05Definitely coming from the left now, for the first time.
0:23:05 > 0:23:06'He's got plenty to give,
0:23:06 > 0:23:09'and I'm more than willing to accept anything
0:23:09 > 0:23:10'that he can help me out in.'
0:23:15 > 0:23:18It's Friday, and the final day of the Baton's tour
0:23:18 > 0:23:19of Northern Ireland.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22After an early morning stop in Ballynahinch,
0:23:22 > 0:23:24the Baton visited Lisburn Rackets Club.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30Judo competitor Mark Montgomery carried
0:23:30 > 0:23:33the flag for Northern Ireland at the last Games in Delhi.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35I've been involved in sport all my life.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37I've been involved in judo for over 30 years,
0:23:37 > 0:23:40I was also involved in wrestling for a time, for about four or five years.
0:23:40 > 0:23:41Sport, for me, is a full package.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44It gets communities together, it gets children together
0:23:44 > 0:23:46and it breaks down divides.
0:23:46 > 0:23:47It's fantastic.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51For the Queen's Baton to be in Lisburn, I'm from Lisburn myself,
0:23:51 > 0:23:53it's special because the kids actually get
0:23:53 > 0:23:55an opportunity to come up and touch it and see it.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59It's something tangible, so rather than just seeing it on TV,
0:23:59 > 0:24:01they can actually reach out and get involved in the Games
0:24:01 > 0:24:03before it even starts. It's fantastic for them.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06So after its whistle-stop tour of the province,
0:24:06 > 0:24:09the Baton arrives back in Belfast, and where else could it be
0:24:09 > 0:24:13but the venue dedicated to our golden girl of athletics?
0:24:20 > 0:24:22I think the Commonwealth Games are very important,
0:24:22 > 0:24:29because when I was 18, I was selected to go to Cardiff, 1958, to compete.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32I was, you know, a very average athlete at that stage.
0:24:32 > 0:24:36I finished eighth out of nine and ninth out of ten in events
0:24:36 > 0:24:40and got into the relay because we were enthusiastic
0:24:40 > 0:24:42and somebody else had dropped the baton.
0:24:42 > 0:24:47But it gave me the joy of living in a village atmosphere with other
0:24:47 > 0:24:51athletes, some of them medallists.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54You were queuing up for your breakfast with them.
0:24:54 > 0:24:59I think that was a very important part of my development -
0:24:59 > 0:25:00that I wanted more of it.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13I think over the years there is a self-consciousness about people
0:25:13 > 0:25:17from Northern Ireland that has needed to be developed.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21By going to a Commonwealth Games, you know you're equal with other people.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24You may not be as good as them at that point, but you're equal
0:25:24 > 0:25:28with them in ability to make a difference in your sporting life.
0:25:34 > 0:25:40My final Games was in 1974 at the Christchurch Commonwealth Games
0:25:40 > 0:25:42in New Zealand.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45I was invited to carry the flag at the closing ceremony
0:25:45 > 0:25:47because it was my final finale.
0:25:47 > 0:25:52I chose a discus thrower from Canada,
0:25:52 > 0:25:54who was the biggest man in the village,
0:25:54 > 0:25:57that he would carry me on his shoulders
0:25:57 > 0:25:59so that I could carry the Northern Ireland flag
0:25:59 > 0:26:01higher than any other.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03As we past the Royal Box, he curtsied to the Queen.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08That was a magical moment, and I still have the flag.
0:26:08 > 0:26:09I brought it home with me.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18Well, Mary, the Baton has been all around Northern Ireland.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20Wonderful to have it here at your own track.
0:26:20 > 0:26:24It's beautiful, and it's really good that it's probably inspired
0:26:24 > 0:26:26a whole generation of young people
0:26:26 > 0:26:29who've had their hands on this Baton this week.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32I hope they will enjoy sport in the future,
0:26:32 > 0:26:34because it gave me such a wonderful life.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37Seeing all these young people here today running
0:26:37 > 0:26:40and experiencing what this is all about,
0:26:40 > 0:26:44which is having fun and competing, is wonderful.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46You inspire generations now, Mary.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48How important is this Baton in inspiring the future
0:26:48 > 0:26:51generations to go on and compete for us.
0:26:51 > 0:26:53Well, you just need to talk to these children
0:26:53 > 0:26:55and know how they feel about it.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58I mean, it's magic for them to have a close touch of this,
0:26:58 > 0:27:02which Her Majesty the Queen set of from Buckingham Palace,
0:27:02 > 0:27:05and her message will be read at the opening ceremony.
0:27:05 > 0:27:09So hopefully they'll all want to continue in sport.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13I travelled the world as a result of my sporting achievements
0:27:13 > 0:27:16and I'm still doing it to this day.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18Well, we hope you do for a very long time to come.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20- You'll be there, obviously, in Glasgow.- Will indeed.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22- I'm one of their ambassadors. - Brilliant.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25- Well, enjoy it, Mary, thank you. - Thank you very much, Claire.
0:27:30 > 0:27:31So that's it from us,
0:27:31 > 0:27:34as the Baton continues its journey around the UK
0:27:34 > 0:27:37before arriving in Glasgow for the opening ceremony
0:27:37 > 0:27:39on 23rd of July.
0:27:39 > 0:27:43Good luck to all our Northern Ireland competitors.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45For now, though, we'll leave you with some memories
0:27:45 > 0:27:47of four great days. Bye for now.