MacCombe 'disappointed' to miss out on Glasgow 2026

Chloe MacCombe and guide Catherine Sands won silver for Northern Ireland in the women's PTVI para-triathlon at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham two years ago

Commonwealth Games para-triathlon silver medallist Chloe MacCombe says the news she will not be able to compete for Northern Ireland at the stripped-back Glasgow 2026 Games is a "disappointment" but not a total surprise.

The triathlon events are among the sports that have been cut from the Glasgow programme after the Scottish city agreed to host the Games following Victoria's withdrawal because of rising costs.

"It’s great that the Commonwealth Games are going ahead but obviously it’s disappointing that triathlon and para-triathlon isn’t part of it with it being so close to home," Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games medallist MacCombe told BBC Sport NI.

"Birmingham was such an incredible experience to be able to do triathlon there. Scotland would have been amazing to do it as well. It is what it is."

MacCombe, 29, admitted that the absence of her sport from the Commonwealth Games programme will make the wait for her planned next Paralympics appearance in LA in 2028 seem that bit longer.

"To not have that any more just means LA in 2028 is just that little bit further away.

"It’s just going to be that little bit harder to sort of motivate myself to keep training."

MacCombe and twin Judith both represented Ireland in the PTVI Triathlon at this year's Paralympics in Paris when Chloe finished sixth, two places ahead of her sister.

Chloe says Judith is also disappointed by the news, even though, it is not altogether unexpected with Commonwealth Games officials having signposted that a slimmed-down Games was on the cards.

"It’s always good to get that sibling rivalry up. Even just having a games where our family and friends are able to come and watch. It’s disappointing but between ourselves, I suppose, we’ll encourage each other and motivate each other on.

"It was up in the air for quite a while as to whether the Commonwealth Games was going to happen in 2026 so it’s good that it is happening. There are a lot of sports that have been included and a lot of para sport which is good to see."

Chloe's overall performances this year have moved up the world rankings to third spot in her class, which she views as an "incredible achievement".

"I’m very pleased with that. I suppose it’s just keeping that motivation going, to maybe try and improve that ranking or keep it where it is."