The next generation of Scots athletes have hailed the legacy of Glasgow 2026 as a potential game changer for the sporting community.
A team of up-and-coming athletes warm up the track for their Team Scotland heroes, athletes they hope to emulate by vying for Games medals.
The upgraded facilities at Scotstoun will be one of the biggest infrastructure legacies of the 2026 Games, allowing local clubs and members of the public to enjoy the same type of world class track surface used in the Paris, Rio Tokyo and London Olympic stadia.
Student Simon Okiti, 22, from Glasgow, regularly trains at Scotstoun as a member of Victoria Park City of Glasgow Athletics Club, which is usually based in the venue, and was delighted to be among the first to sprint on the new track.
“It’s not every day you get to run on a Commonwealth track, even if it’s a tester. The track seems faster and it’s really nice having facilities like this- hopefully more competitions can be held here as well.”
He hopes the investment can help inspire more runners into the future.
“It definitely helps. If there are good facilities, people want to do more in the sport and then more funding in the sport means more people can succeed and continue on with the legacy.
“Hopefully holding competitions like this can promote sport locally.”
He added: “Everybody's excited to have the Commonwealth Games here. I was 10 the first time it was here and I don't really remember much about it so it's quite nice being older and being able to be somewhat part of it.”
Fellow sprinter Corey Donaldson, 18, from Old Kilpatrick, near Glasgow, agreed: “It means a lot because now we can use facilities that have been used for Commonwealth Games and all these professionals from around the world.
“We can all say we're one of the first people to run on this track.”
Gordon Innes, president of Victoria Park City of Glasgow Athletics Club, said they were delighted the Games were coming to their local stadium.
“We're always excited about any improvement to the facilities.
“The track was due for renewal anyway so to get a nice new Mondotrack is a big improvement and it's obviously faster. It’s harder wearing and won't require as much maintenance. The track's great and is a major improvement.”
While the new facilities are a welcome boost for the local sporting community, Gordon said the events themselves can also be a great inspiration for young athletes.
“We have 45 young children here over the next week volunteering as kit carriers. And just recently we recruited a new coach who wants to give a bit back to athletics. He told us he was a kit carrier here 20 years ago for a Great Britain versus USA versus Russia international match.
“And if those 45 children are affected the same way as he was, we can expect a lot of volunteers coming forward. We always get a shot in the arm after any major event like this and for Glasgow 2014 at Hampden, thousands of young kids went to the events.”
Glasgow 2026 non-executive director Dr Julie McElroy, a frame runner at Victoria Park and a former volunteer at Glasgow 2014, is also delighted that the inclusivity of Glasgow 2014, where parasports were included in the main sporting programme, has continued for 2026.
She added: “Every athlete of every ability wants to pull on that vest and represent their country.”
The final ticket drop is on sale now. Fans are encouraged not to miss out and get their hands on their tickets today, available at glasgow2026.com/tickets
