Now that the 2026 Commonwealth Games have come to a close, it is time to reflect on all of the amazing history-making medal-winning performances.
At the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, Team Scotland’s Para Athletes had their most successful Games ever, rewriting the record books. With an incredible 14 medals won across Para sports, including eight gold medals, three silver medals and three bronze medals, all athletes can be extremely proud of what they have achieved.
Team Scotland’s Para athletes were responsible for winning 62% of Team Scotland’s gold medals, reinforcing the importance of inclusion, and highlighting the contributions of Para athletes to Scotland’s success at the games.
In Tollcross International Swimming Centre, there was a strong contingent of athletes competing with Faye Rogers, Toni Shaw, Stephen Clegg, James Clegg, Astrid Carroll, Ollie Carter and Sam Downie all representing Scotland.
On day one in the Para Swimming, the Scottish team got off to a dream start, with Faye Rogers winning Women’s S10 Individual Medley gold, setting the tone for the rest of the Games.
Faye’s performance was immediately backed up by Stephen Clegg from the Scottish Borders, who delivered a phenomenal performance in the pool, sealing a Men’s S13 100m Freestyle silver.
Stephen kept the momentum going for the Scotts on day five, with a fantastic showing in the Men’s S13 50m Freestyle, ending the race at the top of the podium with a gold.
Toni Shaw was competing in the Women’s S9 100m Freestyle on day six. Where an unbelievable final-length push resulted in Toni adding to Team Scotland’s medal count with a bronze.
The eight-strong Para Athletics squad of Ben Sandilands, Steven Bryce, Owen Miller, Melanie Woods, Joanna Robertson, Alexander Thompson, Sean Frame and Stephen Stone were competing at Scotstoun Stadium, delivering several world-class performances.
In the Men’s T20 1500m, Ben Sandilands showcased his outstanding athletic ability, claiming a tremendous gold medal.
This performance was quickly followed by Stephen Bryce, who impressed with a controlled performance, winning Men’s T20 1500m bronze, with both athletes training out of Fife Athletics Club, the day was made particularly special for the region with their stablemate and former Paralympic 1500m Gold medalist Owen Miller also competing in the final.
Melanie Woods continued the winning ways for Scottish athletes, competing in the Women’s T54 1500m, where she delivered a fantastic performance, winning gold. However, less than 24 hours after being crowned Commonwealth Champion it was announced that the race was to be restaged due to a crash. Melanie, however, remained focused and resolute, finishing the race even quicker the second time, ensuring that she would retain her gold medal.
One gold wasn’t to be enough for Melanie, as on day nine, she was racing in the Women’s T54 400m. Where she won an excellent second gold medal in front of her family and friends.
The Scottish Events Campus was hosting the Para Bowls competition, with Robert Barr, Sarah Jane Ewing (Director), Mary Stevenson, Jim Aitken (Director), Gary Brown, Stuart Sloan, Mary Wilson and Pauline Wilson representing Scotland.
In front of a passionate home support Robert Barr, Sarah Jane Ewing (Director), Mary Stevenson and Jim Aitken (Director) provided a sensational performance, securing a gold medal for the Scots in the Mixed B2/3 Pairs competition. Both men and women’s Pairs in the Physical Disability section narrowly missed out on a medal by losing in their respective Bronze Medal matches.
Also in the Scottish Events Campus was the Wheelchair Basketball competition. Where Tyler Baines, Finlay Erskine, Shayne Humphries, Ross McConnell, Kayli English, Robyn Love, Lea Smith and Jodie Waite were competing.
On day six of the Games, both the Men’s and Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team had medal opportunities, with the women being in the Gold Medal Match, and the men in the Bronze Medal Match.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be for the men. However, Kayli English, Robyn Love, Lea Smith and Jodie Waite delivered a fantastic performance, just missing out on a gold medal, and winning silver.
Neil Fachie, Aaron Pope (Pilot), and Fin Graham were out in force in The Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, where they were all producing several world-class performances.
Whilst being piloted by Aaron Pope, Neil Fachie became Team Scotland’s most successful athlete of all time, after winning gold in the Men’s Tandem B 100m Time Trial.
Neil and Aaron immediately backed up their performance, when competing in the Men’s Tandem B Sprint, where they stormed to victory, winning a second gold medal of the Games.
Fin Graham was also in action in the velodrome, as he made his Commonwealth Games debut. In the Men’s C1/3 1000m Time Trial, the Highlander had a fantastic race, ensuring that he would be adding to Team Scotland’s medal tally with a bronze.
Two days later, Fin was back on the track, and competing in the Men’s C1-3 3000m Individual Pursuit. In the race, Fin qualified for the Gold Medal Match, where he left everything out on the track, narrowly coming up shy of a gold medal, winning silver.
Throughout the Games, each of Team Scotland’s Para athletes showed the resilience, determination, motivation and drive that is required to thrive on the Commonwealth stage, with all of these performances acting as a reminder of the importance of an inclusive Scotland, where individuals with a disability are supported to take part in sport and physical activity.
To find out how you can get started on your pathway in sport, reach out to Scottish Disability Sport at admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com or contact your local SDS Branch.
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