GLASGOW: A galaxy of global stars including new One Mile world record holder Josh Kerr have signed up to battle for gold at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games starting with the opening ceremony Thursday.
The 10 sports being showcased at Glasgow 2026 are set to thrill fans between 23 July and 2 August, with top global talent, including multiple Olympic and Paralympic champions, as well as reigning Commonwealth gold medallists, competing across the 11-day festival of sport.
Australia topped the Birmingham 2022 medal table with 179 medals, including 67 golds. Team England was just three behind on 176. Team Scotland won 51 medals with 13 golds. They and other powerhouses Canada, India and New Zealand are all likely to contend for a major share of medals again.
In one of the most eagerly awaited events, the Commonwealth athletics will have a star attraction. Spearheading the Scottish challenge is Kerr, who ran a stunning 3 mins 42.66 world One Mile record at the Diamond League in London on Saturday. Jake Wightman, Neil Gourley and Jemma Reekie, also run as the historic “Commonwealth Mile” returns. Defending champions Eilish McColgan and Laura Muir as well as Paralympic gold medallists Ben Sandilands and Owen Miller further strengthen the host nation’s hopes of success.
England’s Georgia Hunter-Bell (800m) and Zharnel Hughes (200m) are set to star, while Jamaican speedster Shericka Jackson is in the Relay mix. The Men’s 4x100m will feature Canada’s Olympic gold medal-winning quartet, headlined by their most decorated male Olympian of all-time Andre De Grasse.
The Canadian line-up is further boosted by the selection of Olympic champion Decathlete Damian Warner and Paris 2024 Hammer gold medallists Camryn Rogers as well as Ethan Katzberg.
Fast times are expected on the newly laid track at EDF Scotstoun Stadium, in a venue that will bring spectators up close to the speed and power. There’ll be fireworks in the Men’s 100m where London Diamond League winner Kayinsola Ajayi features after running a national record equalling 9.84s. Among his rivals will be Kenya’s defending champion Ferdinand Omanyala.
In the Women’s 100m Jamaican’s Jonelle Smith (Personal Best, 10.89 secs) and Jodean Williams (PB, 10.97) as well as England’s Daryll Neita (PB, 10.90) and Amy Hunt (PB, 10.97) are among the contenders.
Australia is sending a formidable team of 86 athletes across all disciplines. Matt Denny, reigning Discus champion, 1500m superstar Jessica Hull and High Jump duo Eleanor Patterson and Nicola Olyslagers are clear ones-to-watch alongside wheelchair racer Angela Ballard, who is set to make history as the first Para athlete to compete at five Commonwealth Games.
Kenya’s 52 strong Athletics team includes world champions Lilian Odira, Faith Cherotich and Timothy Cheruiyot. The Men’s Javelin pits Indian superstar Neeraj Chopra, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion and Paris 2024 silver medallist against Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, the reigning Olympic champion and and defending Commonwealth Games gold medallist.
For New Zealand, Hamish Kerr is the reigning world, Commonwealth and Olympic High Jump champion. Geordie Beamish is the reigning Steeplechase world champion. Anna Grimaldi, a three-time Paralympic champion (across Long Jump and 200m), will contest the T47 100m.
