Commonwealth Games 2026 | Artistic to feature
Artistic gymnastics will feature in the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Both the men’s and women’s disciplines are one of 10 sports chosen for the global event.
The Commonwealth Games Federation announced the full programme which involves fewer sports than in recent events. The sports are: athletics and para-athletics (track & field), swimming and para swimming, artistic gymnastics, track cycling and para track cycling, netball, weightlifting and para powerlifting, boxing, judo, bowls and para bowls, and 3×3 basketball and 3×3 wheelchair basketball.
The Games will take place across four venues in an eight-mile corridor: Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Emirates Arena – including the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, and the Scottish Event Campus (SEC). Athletes and support staff will stay in hotels.
Saving the Games
Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) saved the Games from extinction last month by securing £100 million funding through private income and approval from the Scottish and UK governments. Their innovative plan to hold the event in Glasgow involved scaling back the sporting programme.
Over the years the Games has grown into one of the largest global sporting events. The first event in Hamilton in 1930 included six sports, and in Birmingham 2022, that had risen to 19. The Australian state of Victoria withdrew as 2026 host due to escalating costs. CGS stepped into the breach to hold a more sustainable event to ensure the Games go ahead.
Scottish Gymnastics chief executive officer Doc McKelvey said: “We are delighted gymnastics is one of the 10 sports for Glasgow 2026. We are excited by the opportunities ahead for Scottish gymnasts, Scottish sport and Commonwealth Sport.
“Glasgow 2026 is an opportunity for Scottish sport to once again be showcased on the world stage. The Games also help emphasis the significant benefits of sport to the health and wellbeing of Scotland. Gymnastics can play a significant part in both these areas. It is a foundation sport but also a sport where dreams can come true.
“Our thanks again to Commonwealth Games Scotland, the Commonwealth Games Federation, the Scottish Government and Glasgow City for securing the event in 2026. We look forward to working with them to ensure an uplifting gymnastics experience for all.”
Difficult Decisions
The first Games almost a century ago featured athletics, boxing, lawn bowls, rowing, swimming and diving. Gymnastics became the 11th sport in the 11th Games at Edmonton 1978 when only rhythmic appeared. It was another 12 years before rhythmic and artistic gymnastics were back in the programme and featured in each quadrennial event.
CGS made some tough decisions to protect the future of the Games and some other well-established sports are not included for 2026. Rhythmic had already been removed from the programme by the original hosts in Australia. Athletics and swimming are compulsory, given they have featured since the first Games. The decision not to include a sport in 2026 does not mean it will not be considered in any future Games.
Head of sport Sam Hendrikson said: “It is brilliant that artistic gymnastics will play a central role in Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. We are grateful to our colleagues in CGS for keeping the momentum going and ensuring the Games continue which we know positively influence so many athletes and people around the Commonwealth.
“The Commonwealth Games is such a key and exciting competition for Scottish gymnasts. After historic medals at Glasgow 2014 and in Birmingham 2022, it is important for the sport in Scotland that gymnastics remains in the programme.
“We are now focussing on preparations to ensure gymnasts have the best possible experience towards delivering their personal bests at the Games. Our performance team will be working hard with gymnasts and personal coaches over the next 18 months so they are ready for what will be a fantastic home Games.”
Cameron Lynn who competed at Birmingham 2022 is excited that gymnastics is included in Glasgow, giving him another chance to be selected for Team Scotland. He said:
“The Commonwealth Games is an amazing thing which only happens every four years. We are so privileged to be a part of the Commonwealth and get to show our expertise and sport around the world. It is a sense of community in the Commonwealth Games. Everybody’s competing for each other, not just themselves.
I really feel patriotic when I compete for Scotland in the Commonwealth Games. I love Scotland as well so that’s a real special moment for me when I get to go out there and put the flag on my chest. Competing for your home country is a lot different as well because at the Olympics or world level you compete for GB.
“I’d like to say thank you to Commonwealth Games Scotland and the Commonwealth Games Federation for sorting this out and having it in Glasgow. It would mean the world to me to compete in front of a home crowd. I was in Birmingham 2022 which was amazing and it almost felt like a home game. But having it in Glasgow would mean so much more. We are all looking forward to it. Here we go, Glasgow 2026!”