The reality of the Commonwealth Games hit home for Latroya Darrell yesterday morning as she was passed the symbolic Queen?s Baton in a sun-drenched ceremony at Government House.

High jumper Darrell, who achieved the qualifying height for next year?s Games in Melbourne while winning the Pan-Am Junior Championship silver medal in Windsor, Ontario, last month, joined fellow Games athlete Arantxa King in taking the state-of-the-art Baton from Governor Sir John Vereker as it passed through the 47th of 71 countries.

The ultra-modern Baton, containing two cameras, a GPS system and a message from the Queen, is travelling through the Island as part of its year-and-a-day long 180,000 kilometre global journey across every Commonwealth nation.

It will arrive in Australia for a 50-day tour before ending up in Melbourne next March where the message will be read out to open the event.

Accompanied by a four-man entourage, the Baton was received by Vereker from Bermuda Olympic Association president and Commonwealth Games Federation regional vice-chairman John Hoskins before being passed on to the young athletes.

?Yes, it does make the Commonwealth Games seem more real,? said the softly-spoken Darrell, who is hoping to emulate Bermuda?s only Games gold medallist Clarence (Nicky) Saunders who won the high jump in 1990.

?It is going to be the biggest thing I have ever competed in, I am really looking forward to it.

?Getting a silver in the Junior Pan-Ams was my biggest achievement and I hope to do well in Commonwealth now.

?It is nice that there are a few of us going, it is going to be an amazing experience ? my family have already said they have booked their tickets.?

Darrell is aiming to jump 1.84 metres at the Games, which won?t be enough for a medal, but it will be a significant achievement for the teenager, a multiple Carifta medallist.

Once she and King, the world youth long jump champion, had run around the grounds of Government House following a short ceremony ? Vereker said he would only attend the Games ?if I qualify? ? the Baton moved up to St. George?s for more formalities.

Mayor E. Michael Jones was the next to receive the Baton ? which will have travelled by horse, donkey, camel, scooter, hot air balloon, plane and yacht by the time it reaches Melbourne ? before passing it on to past and future Commonwealth gymnasts.

A group of youngsters, including some of the multiple medal-winning Island Games team, then took it around the historic town for a number of photo opportunities which will be posted on the main Melbourne 2006 website in the coming days.

Today the Baton begins its day with Johnny Barnes before being taken to Cabinet to be passed to Premier Alex Scott and then around Hamilton for more photo opportunities with more Commonwealth Games athletes.

In the evening a reunion is being staged at Bacardi for every athlete who has represented Bermuda in the past 75 years of Commonwealth competition.