What do athletes think about Glasgow 2026?
- Published
A scaled-back Commonwealth Games is coming to Glasgow in 2026.
Details of the reduced programme are yet to be revealed but it will be a very different spectacle to the successful Glasgow 2014.
Despite it being a smaller offering, many of Scotland's stars are in favour of the Games carrying on.
Prior to the official announcement, BBC Sport Scotland spoke to some of the country's top athletes to get their views.
Joy of representing Scotland
For many Scottish athletes, the Commonwealth Games remains the only championships during which they can represent the nation rather than be part of a wider Great Britain team.
Former 1500m world champion Jake Wightman said the loss of that opportunity would be "one of the saddest" things about the Games ceasing to exist.
"We rarely get the chance to and it always a nice chance for us to give back to Scotland and what they have done to develop us," he added.
Eilish McColgan, a gold medallist at the last Games in Birmingham, said it was "incredible" to be part of the 2014 edition in Glasgow.
"I felt proud to be from Scotland - having heard all the athletes from so many different nations say how much they enjoyed coming to Glasgow, the atmosphere and how friendly everyone was," McColgan said.
"It’s incredible that the Scottish athletes would get their first - or in my case, second - home Games which is extremely rare," said two-time badminton medallist Kirsty Gilmour.
"There’s nothing like having that crowd behind you."
And Olympic medal-winning track cyclist Neah Evans revealed the last Glasgow Games was the reason she got into cycling.
"If there hadn’t been a velodrome in Glasgow I probably would have never tried it.
"So I wonder who else could be inspired from the Commonwealth Games coming back?"
Previous format 'just not feasible'
However, athletes are also aware of the context around the event, first held in 1930 as the British Empire Games.
Sitting below world championships and Olympics, and in a changing world, the Commonwealths have diminished in stature.
As such, the slimmed-down plan is the right approach, according to McColgan.
"There needs to be changes made to the current format because at the moment - it just isn't feasible," she said.
"It needs to be scaled down. More affordable. And venues need to be re-used. Athletes hosted in empty university accommodations."
Diver Grace Reid, a two-time Commonwealth gold medallist, agrees change is the right approach.
"In this day and age, sport has to diversify to match the climate," the 28-year-old added.
"We have to think about the athletes but we have to think about the countries that have to fund them."
Gilmour also has concerns about the short time frame to organise a Games.
"I just really hope that we have enough time to build that atmosphere and anticipation for the athletes and fans," she said.
"I’ve got no doubt Commonwealth Games Scotland and the Commonwealth Games Federation will do absolutely everything in their power to make it spectacular.
"They have to organise logistics, venues, personnel, transport etc. I’m hopeful but it’s a tough task."
The question of legacy
Murdoch was a surprise gold medallist in the 200m breaststroke in 2014
From a sporting perspective, McColgan thinks the Commonwealth Games play a "really important" role for young Scottish athletes.
The 33-year-old said it provides an opportunity for them to compete on a lesser stage while finding their way.
"It bridges the gap and gives athletes the opportunity to experience a multi-event Games before [hopefully] representing Team GB at a global championships," McColgan explained. "It's a great pathway."
Swimmer Ross Murdoch, a breakthrough star in 2014, agreed the Games are an important "stepping stone".
"The Commonwealth Games was the real start to my career," he said.
"It’s not a pointless meet on the way to the Olympics. It’s an opportunity to preserve something that allows athletes to grow towards something they might never have thought they could achieve."
Wightman added that children can take inspiration from seeing compatriots compete at home.
"It would be a great to keep this moment rolling in Scottish athletics and Scottish sport," he said. "Another generation can be inspired."
Reid also agreed the benefits are wider than purely sporting.
"They are incredibly important for all those young kids that get to watch some incredible sport and all the benefits that brings to Glasgow - it could be a really exciting prospect."