The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games are off to a fantastic start for GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) athletes, with past and present supported athletes already bringing home an impressive 12 medals - 7 Silver and 5 Bronze across the opening days of competition.
In the days leading up to the Games, there were some late changes to the athlete line up. Unfortunately, GSF National Ambassador Daryll Neita, GSF Ambassador Jona Efoloko and alumni athletes Dina Asher-Smith and Amber Anning were all forced to withdraw from Team England. While it was disappointing to see four of the Foundation's athletes miss out, their withdrawals created opportunities for fellow GSF athletes Tara Simpson-Sullivan and alumni athlete Louise Evans, who were both called up to represent England in Glasgow.
From the pool to the athletics track, GSF athletes have been delivering outstanding performances for their nations, with many progressing through heats, semi-finals and knockout rounds in their respective sports.
Friday 24 July – Strong start in the pool
GSF past and present athletes wasted no time making their mark on the Games. Alumni athlete Tom Dean claimed the Foundation’s first medal of Glasgow 2026 with Bronze in the men’s 200m individual medley.
Tom then returned to the pool later in the session to help England secure Silver in the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay, alongside Edward Mildred and Cameron Brooker. A number of swimmers also reached finals and semi-finals, including Luke Greenbank, Jack Skerry, Lucy Fox, Grace Davison, Lottie Cullen and Evan Jones
Elsewhere, alumni athletes Joy Haizelden and Jade Atkin helped England open their women’s wheelchair basketball campaign with a 16–6 victory over Australia
Saturday 25 July – Relay medals continue
The medal momentum continued on day two! GSF Alumni Tom Dean collected his third medal of the Games as England won Silver in the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay. Wales also celebrated a double podium, with Kieran Bird and Rebecca Sutton earning Bronze medals in the same event.
On the courts, alumni athlete Shanice Beckford-Norton and Cheridene Green guided England’s women’s 3x3 basketball team to victories over Singapore and Scotland, while GSF alumni Ashley Hamilton and Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye continued England’s strong start in the men’s competition.
In para bowls, Julie Thomas remained unbeaten with Team Wales through the group stages with a draw against New Zealand and a win over South Africa.
Sunday 26 July – Luke Greenbank and Keiran Bird add more medals
Sunday brought further podium success. GSF Alumni Luke Greenbank produced a superb swim to take bronze in the men’s 200m backstroke for England.
In the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay, Cameron Brooker and Tom Dean helped England to Silver, while Kieran Bird added a second Bronze medal to his Glasgow tally as Wales finished third.
Alumni athletes Joy Haizelden and Jade Atkin continued England’s unbeaten run in wheelchair basketball with a 15–12 win over Canada, while Robyn Love and Jodie Waite helped Wales defeat Nigeria 17–1.
Several other GSF swimmers reached more finals, including Lottie Cullen, Brooklyn Hale and Jack Skerry, while Kieran Stiles recorded a top-seven finish in the men’s 60kg weightlifting competition.
Monday 27 July – Athletics breakthrough
The first athletics medal for the GSF team arrived on Monday evening. Alumni athlete Samuel Bennett delivered an outstanding performance in the men’s 110m hurdles, winning his heat before going on to claim Silver for England in the final.
There were also encouraging performances from alumni Jeremiah Azu, who won his 100m heat for Wales, and GSF Ambassador Imani Lansiquot, who progressed confidently through the women’s 100m heats for England.
In boxing, Caitlin Fryers (Northern Ireland) and Owain Harris-Allen (Wales) both advanced with impressive victories.
More than just medals
While the 12-medal haul is a major achievement, many other GSF athletes have enjoyed excellent Games so far:
- Edward Mildred reached the final of the men’s 200m butterfly.
- Megan Barnes helped Scotland to fourth in the women’s 4x200m relay.
- Amy Crowley, Rebecca Sutton and Jack McMillan all progressed through heats and semi-finals.
- Charlotte Payne reached the women’s hammer qualifying round.
- Eve Walsh Dann and Ozioma Nlewedum recorded season’s best performances in para athletics.
Looking ahead
With several days of competition still to come, GSF athletes remain in contention across swimming, athletics, basketball, gymnastics, wheelchair basketball, boxing, netball and para sport.
Congratulations to all GSF athletes who have competed in Glasgow so far, and especially to the 12 medal winners who have helped deliver an outstanding opening to the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
We look forward to seeing how they continue to get on as the rest of the Games progress!
