The Commonwealth Games, a quadrennial multi-sport event with roots tracing back to 1930 as the British Empire Games, is facing scrutiny regarding its relevance and format as the 2026 edition in Glasgow approaches.
Concerns about the Games' future have been amplified by the notable absence of several star athletes. While injuries to prominent figures like gymnast Max Whitlock and swimmer Kaylee McKeown are unavoidable, other athletes have chosen to compete in different events. For instance, Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson will prioritize the European Athletics Championships, a major track and field competition, over the Glasgow Games. Similarly, sprinter Dina Asher-Smith will only participate in the relay, and Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred of St. Lucia has withdrawn. Canadian swimming sensation Summer McIntosh is another high-profile absentee.
Despite these withdrawals, some prominent athletes are set to compete. Josh Kerr, the world record holder in the mile, will race for Scotland on home soil, as will Eilish McColgan. Katerina Johnson-Thompson aims for her third consecutive Commonwealth heptathlon title, and Adam Peaty returns to a pool where he won two gold medals in 2014.
The Commonwealth Games continue to be a significant platform for sports such as netball. Furthermore, there is an increased emphasis on para-sport, with the 2026 Games featuring the most integrated para-competition in its history. Six of the ten sports will include para-events, offering a record 47 medal opportunities. Unlike in some other multi-sport events, medals won by para-athletes will count towards the overall national medal totals.
Some athletes view the Games as a crucial developmental opportunity. England weightlifter Emily Campbell has described the Games as "one of the best things that came out of colonisation," while Olympic swimmer Tom Dean believes they can be "a force for good" despite historical complexities. Dean told BBC Sport, "It is even more reason to push the Commonwealths into the spotlight because it shows the best side of sport."
Paralympic swimming champion Brock Whiston highlighted the importance of the event for smaller nations and the integration of para-sports. "Without the Commonwealth Games, the smaller countries don't get the chance to show how powerful that integration is," Whiston stated. "The Commonwealth Games is vital to ensuring there are equal opportunities."
James Guy, an Olympic champion swimmer and a participant in his fourth Commonwealth Games, also emphasized the event's role in athlete development. He noted that qualifying for a Commonwealth Games team can be more accessible than making a Great Britain team, providing a valuable stepping stone for emerging athletes to gain experience and secure medals in relay events, which aids their progression.