Susan Egelstaff

Nineteen-year-old Scottish boxer Niamh Mitchell discusses challenging assumptions that feminine women cannot be successful fighters. Scotland's first female European Junior champion and a senior international gold medallist, Mitchell is now leading the country's 11-member boxing squad for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. She hopes to become Scotland's first female Commonwealth Games boxing medallist while encouraging more girls and women to feel comfortable entering the sport.

Katie Shanahan believes a difficult year marked by illness at the 2025 World Championships and a back injury has made her stronger and more resilient. After winning British Championship gold in the 200m backstroke and bronze in the 100m, she has regained fitness ahead of Glasgow 2026. The Glasgow-born swimmer embraces the pressure of competing at home and hopes to improve on her two bronze medals from Birmingham 2022, while targeting Commonwealth and European titles despite facing elite rivals including Summer McIntosh and Kaylee McKeown.

Kyle Jimenez aims to secure a medal for Scotland’s 3v3 basketball team at the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games after narrowly missing out in 2018 and 2022. Playing alongside Fraser Malcolm, Owen McCormack and Skyler White, he expects home support and team chemistry to boost their chances. Jimenez believes the squad is well‑suited to the fast-paced 3v3 format and remains confident about challenging favourites England while targeting at least a bronze medal.

Gregor Miller prepares for his Commonwealth Games judo debut after moving from the under-100kg category to the heavier division in search of a better medal opportunity. Despite facing opponents up to 170kg, he plans to rely on speed and endurance. A serious leg injury at 18 strengthened his resilience, and he aims for gold in Glasgow while embracing the heightened attention surrounding the multi‑sport event.

Lucy Hope, Scotland’s most experienced swimmer, looks ahead to competing at her second home Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 2026, embracing her veteran role within a young squad. Despite a decorated career with major relay titles, she has yet to win a Commonwealth medal and believes the women’s 4x100m freestyle team could contend strongly this year. Hope remains undecided about retirement but acknowledges that concluding her international career where it began in 2014 would bring her journey full circle.

Josh Kerr prepares for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow by highlighting his strong Scottish roots and the significance of competing on home soil. After breaking the world mile record, he aims to redeem his disappointing 2022 Commonwealth Games result. Kerr anticipates a competitive showdown with fellow Scot Jake Wightman, with hopes of a Scottish sweep alongside Neil Gourley. He emphasises pride in representing Scotland and views the event as a major opportunity to claim gold in front of a home crowd.

Megan Keith enters the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as one of Scotland’s standout athletes after a rapid rise from cross‑country specialist to Olympian and record holder. She credits momentum and confidence for her recent breakthrough performances and plans to compete in both the 5000m and 10,000m in front of a home crowd. Keith expects strong competition, particularly from Kenya, and looks forward to racing alongside compatriot and defending champion Eilish McColgan, while emphasizing McColgan’s continued strength on the track.

Archie Goodburn prepares for the 2026 Commonwealth Games after surpassing personal bests despite living with inoperable brain cancer. The Scottish swimmer, now a national record holder in the 50m breaststroke, aims to contend with elite competitors including Adam Ramsay-Peaty. Recent medical setbacks, including a severe seizure, disrupted training but he has returned to strong form. Goodburn views a potential medal as a powerful symbol of perseverance through years of health challenges, strengthened by home support in Glasgow.

Neah Evans describes her struggle with a severe year‑long illness that left her unsure whether she could return to elite cycling. Recovery progressed slowly without a defined timeline, forcing her to adjust expectations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. With the retirements of Katie Archibald and Jack Carlin, she enters the Games as one of Scotland’s most experienced riders and a mentor to younger teammates. Despite limited preparation, she hopes strong tactics and favorable conditions could put Commonwealth gold within reach.

Robert McNulty aims to win a boxing gold medal at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as a stepping stone toward a professional career. Confident in both his talent and charisma, he hopes to attract major promoters such as Eddie Hearn or Frank Warren after the Games. Inspired by past Scottish champions and aware of the hard work required, he remains focused on securing gold before turning professional at a young age.

Emily Nicholl expresses confidence that Scotland’s netball team can surpass its previous best Commonwealth Games finish, citing strong preparation and a balance of experienced and younger players. She highlights the squad’s readiness to face higher‑ranked opponents and the pride she feels entering her third Games. The team aims to make history at Glasgow 2026 with a spirited and determined approach.

A selection of leading Scottish and international athletes are highlighted ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, including swimmers Duncan Scott and Kaylee McKeown, middle‑distance runners Josh Kerr, Jake Wightman and Georgia Hunter‑Bell, and sprinter Shericka Jackson. Several competitors, such as Eilish McColgan, Sarah Adlington and Angie Ballard, seek to defend titles or set career milestones, while emerging talents like Erin Boothman aim for breakthrough performances. Returning champions including Max Whitlock and seasoned figures like Alex Marshall add further interest to the anticipated competition across multiple sports.