As Glasgow prepares to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, attention turns to five standout athletes across gymnastics, athletics, cycling, swimming, and weightlifting. With 215 gold medals available, the city is set to welcome more than 3,000 athletes from 10 sports, all of whom have the ambition of leaving with a medal. While much has been made of the reduced programme, the city’s readiness, and the future of the hosting baton, the attention is now fully on the athletes.
Rhys McClenaghan and the Evolution of a Champion
Northern Ireland’s gymnastics star Rhys McClenaghan arrives in Glasgow as a decorated veteran, holding titles as an Olympic, World, European, and Commonwealth champion. Despite his success, the 26-year-old is undergoing a technical reboot. Following a shoulder injury that sidelined him last year, McClenaghan is introducing a new routine to accommodate recent rule changes in the sport. The Commonwealth Games is a good chance to show your work in progress. At the Olympic Games, you want to see your finished product,
he said. “It’s going to be a work in progress, but hopefully one that is the best in the world too. Part of me is striving be like a younger Rhys, but the reality is I’m doing a completely new routine and the rule changes have pushed me into that direction – that’s the Rhys 2.0 there.”
McClenaghan, who secured Ireland’s first Olympic gymnastics medal with his gold in Paris two years ago, arrives at these Games as one of Team NI’s “wise heads.” While he previously won gold eight years ago and silver in Birmingham four years ago, he faces a reshaped field this year, notably missing England’s Max Whitlock, who has had to withdraw from these Games with injury. He is scheduled to compete in the men’s pommel horse final at The Arena on Monday, 27 July.
Track, Velodrome, and Pool: High-Stakes Medal Bids
The Glasgow 2026 programme features several athletes aiming to cement their legacies. Josh Kerr, the world-record holder in the mile, is a primary focus for local supporters. Having recently smashed the world record—which had stood for 27 years—by nearly half a second at London’s Diamond League, the 28-year-old Edinburgh native ran a time of three minutes 42.66 seconds. He heads to his homeland for his second Games appearance, competing in the Commonwealth Mile at Scotstoun Stadium on Saturday, 1 August. The athlete previously told BBC Scotland that gold in Scotland is what I grew up thinking about.
At the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, Kadeena Cox returns to the Commonwealth stage after missing the last two iterations of the Games due to injury. The 35-year-old para-cyclist, who won gold in athletics and cycling at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio, will compete in the C4-5 event for Team England on Thursday, 30 July. Her presence is a significant draw, marking 10 years since she first gained global prominence in Brazil.
Meanwhile, South African swimmer Chad le Clos approaches a historic milestone at the Tollcross Swimming Centre. With 18 career Commonwealth medals—seven gold, four silver, and seven bronze—he sits just one podium finish away from becoming the most decorated male athlete in the history of the Games. Le Clos, who equalled Ian Thorpe’s record of seven medals in one Games during the 2014 Glasgow event, is set to compete in the men’s 100m butterfly on Sunday, 26 July, and the 50m butterfly final on Wednesday, 29 July.
Rising Talent and the Future of the Games
Beyond the established veterans, the Games highlight emerging talent such as 18-year-old weightlifter Seine Stowers. Representing Samoa, Stowers recently celebrated her birthday by setting 12 records and securing four gold medals at the Universal Weightlifting Championship. Competing in the women’s 77kg category, she lifted 142kg in the clean and jerk. She follows in the footsteps of her sister, Feagaiga, a gold medal winner in the Gold Coast and a silver medallist in Birmingham four years ago.
