"VAN" (Sports Desk - 03.08.2026) :: Scotland hero Josh Kerr led the sporting superstars of Glasgow 2026 in producing magical moments of unforgettable action - and proved the Commonwealth Games matters.
Athletes, and the joy they conjured at Glasgow 2026, were the stars, coming together for tough competition, sporting friendship and inspired by noisy crowds.
Some 3,000 athletes from 74 nations won 1,168 medals - 141 in Para events - over ten sports.
The athletes’ collective endeavours on track, court, in the gym, ring or pool, showcased their courage and self-belief to perform on the big stage.
They are the embodiment of why Glasgow 2026 stepped in 18 months ago to rescue and reimagine the Commonwealth Games to secure the movement’s future and pass the baton to the next gathering in Amdavad, India 2030.
At Glasgow 2026 everyone belonged - from smaller nations setting personal bests and getting ovations - to the Para athletes who made the Games experience truly inclusive competing alongside their able-bodied compatriots.
41 nations won at least one medal, while Australia topped the medal table generating huge public interest back home.
World Mile record holder Kerr delivered the standout moment at the Scotstoun Stadium on Saturday night crowd, winning the historic, relaunched Commonwealth Mile.
Duncan Scott sealed his legend status with an early Gold in the 200m IM and Scot gymnast Reuben Ward won All-round gold producing the home medal moments that lit up the crowds. Angharad Evans collected golds in the 100m and 200m breaststroke, and Faye Rogers won the 200m IM SM10. Local heroes also included Ben Sandilands (1,500m T20) and double gold for Melanie Woods T54 (1,500m and 400m T54).
Aussie swimmer Meg Harris won an incredible six gold medals, the largest individual haul of the Games in the pool.
South Africa's Chad Le Clos became the most decorated athlete in the history of the games taking his haul to 21 medals.
Jamaica produced shockwaves in the Netball by beating hot-favourites and champions Australia to reach the final.
The 3x3 Basketball and Wheelchair Basketball had intense and fast-paced scoring, including an outrageous buzzer beating, match winning show by Scotland’s Kyle Jimenez to reach the semi-final.
A stunning Men’s 100m saw Cameroon's Emmanuel Eseme clocking 9.83 seconds despite torrential rain in one of the most amazing performances of the ten days of sport.
Veteran Para Powerlifter Folashade Oluwafemiayo broke a world record, bench pressing 175kg, to win the Women's Heavyweight title.
There were 47 gold medals across Para sport. Thomas Young’s T38 100m gold and Sophie Hahn were stars and India's Para squad made history, winning seven medals - their best-ever Commonwealth haul.
Australia’s Rose Davies became the first Australian woman to win the Commonwealth 10,000m title and followed it with 5,000m gold.
Scottish Para Cyclist Neil Fachie won his 7th Games gold, in the tandem B 1000m with Aaron Pope.
Thea LaFond, the Olympic champion, won Dominica's first-ever Commonwealth gold in the women's triple jump with 14.60m.
Welsh cyclist Emma Finucane delivered a Games-record 10.322s on the way to golds in the individual sprint then team sprint.
Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu of India set three records and won India's first gold in the women's 48kg category. England’s weightlifter Emily Campbell won gold with a massive total of 278kg.
India claimed a historic judo double. Asmita Dey won India's first-ever Commonwealth Games judo gold after a 36 year wait in the women's -48kg and Harsh Singh won the men's 60kg title.
Husnah Kukundakwe won Uganda's first Swimming and first Para sport medal. Florence Niyonkuru claimed Rwanda's first senior Commonwealth medal.
The message from Glasgow was clear: Thank you for a brilliant sporting show!
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