体坛英语新闻：Queen's Baton reaches Brunei ahead of Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The 21st Commonwealth Games Queen's Baton Relay has reached Brunei as part of its ambitious 388-day journey across all 70 nations and territories in the Commonwealth, the longest relay in Commonwealth Games history.

A welcome reception for the baton was held at the Australian High Commissioner's official residence on Monday afternoon, bringing together over 100 guests including foreign delegates and past and present Commonwealth Games athletes from Brunei.

"We are proud and honoured to welcome the Queen's Baton to Brunei as it makes its way to the Gold Coast, where Australia will host the 2018 Commonwealth Games," Nicola Rosenblum, the Australian High Commissioner to Brunei told Xinhua.

"The baton relay on Tuesday in Brunei will incorporate athletes from a wide range of sports as well as government officials, teachers and students, young people and even a few foreign diplomats," she added.

Covering 230,000km, the Queen's Baton embarked on its record voyage from the Buckingham Palace during Commonwealth Day on March 13, 2017 and will reach Australia for the opening ceremony of the 2018 Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast, Australia on April 4, 2018.

The baton arrived in Brunei after visiting Malaysia and will depart to Singapore to continue its journey on Wednesday.