Glasgow 2026 | Athlete turned volunteer reflects on Games experience
Faith Golding was one of the many volunteers from the Scottish Gymnastics community who helped out at Glasgow 2026. Some of the gymnastics volunteers had held similar roles at previous Commonwealth Games. Faith’s association with the event, however, runs a bit deeper.
In 1990, she travelled to the other side of the world to represent Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in Auckland, New Zealand. The artistic gymnast, then known as Faith Arnott, competed alongside Ruth Gibson and Susan Martin for Team Scotland. Her performance in the team final qualified her for the individual all-around and floor finals later in the competition.
“Volunteering at Glasgow 2026 in the gymnastics arena was a truly surreal and incredibly special experience,” she said.
“Thirty-six years after representing Scotland at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland, I found myself back in a competition arena. This time I experienced the Games from a very different perspective. To be back surrounded by gymnastics, watching athletes compete on the same floor, brought back so many memories and emotions.”
Reconnecting with friends
Faith’s new position on the competition floor gave her the chance to catch up with some friends from 1990. “One of the most special parts was reconnecting with Ruth, my Scottish Commonwealth Games teammate in Auckland.
“Thirty-six years may have passed, but the bond created through competing together for Scotland is something that never really disappears. One of the things I value most about being a former athlete is those lifelong friendships and connections that sport creates.
“I also had the privilege of being right alongside the competition floor with Pauline Smith, who was part of the judging team at the 1990 Commonwealth Games. To stand together in the arena all these years later was a wonderful reminder of just how long and special our connection with gymnastics has been.”
The Commonwealth Games do tend to bring out these amazing unifying and reunifying stories. And what a Games it was as it returned to Glasgow. Reuben Ward made history by becoming the first Scottish gymnast to win an all-around gold medal. The next day, he and Cameron Lynn set another new record. Their respective silver and bronze medals in the pommel horse final made them the first two Scottish gymnasts to stand together on a Commonwealth Games podium.
Of course, the Games wouldn’t have been possible without the volunteers. They are the glue that always holds these events together, which makes it even more special when the hosts find success right in front of them. Faith added, on her overall experience: “I met so many fantastic gymnastics volunteers throughout the Games too. Their enthusiasm, commitment and passion were infectious, and it was a privilege to be part of such a special team.”