Local artists have been granted the opportunity to leave their mark on Bermuda’s unique contribution to the 2026 Commonwealth Games King’s Baton Relay.

The Bermuda Olympic Association is inviting design submissions for the baton, with three distinctive themes: culture, nature and sport.

Commonwealth Sport has asked each country to design its own baton for the Glasgow Games, rather than the traditional single baton traversing the member countries in advance of the Games.

Bermuda’s baton is intended to showcase the island’s artistic talent and exemplify the values that make the island unique.

The three-sided batons have been designed and handmade in Glasgow from sustainably sourced ash wood by craftsman Tim Norman.

The relay began at Buckingham Palace in March 2025 and will be celebrated in Bermuda from April 26 to May 1.

“This is a unique opportunity for Bermudian artists to leave their mark on Commonwealth Games history,” said BOA president Peter Dunne.

“We want our baton to reflect the spirit of Bermuda — our athletic excellence, our rich cultural heritage and our stunning natural beauty.”

Artists are invited to submit original designs using the design template, representing one of three themes:

• Sport — Celebrating athletic achievement and competitive excellence

• Culture — Honouring Bermuda's traditions, heritage and artistic expression

• Nature — Showcasing the island’s natural environment and biodiversity

The BOA will select one design from each theme, with the chosen artists applying their work on the baton. Selected artists will be publicly announced at an unveiling ceremony on April 27.

The entry deadline is March 11 and interested artists should visit the BOA website or contact equipintern@olympics.bm to obtain the technical specifications and competition guidelines.

The competition is open to all Bermuda residents and the BOA particularly encourages submissions from local artists and organisations.