Double Olympian Andy has unfinished business with Commonwealths

Wednesday 15th July 2026

Andy Butchart in action at the last Games in Birmingham in 2022 (photo by Bobby Gavin)

‘Laura and Eilish are inspirational figures in our sport’ – Megan Keith

Two years before the Commonwealth Games last came to Scotland, Andy Butchart had a Scottish Championship medal bid on his mind at Scotstoun.

Replicating his Central AC team-mate, the late Ali Hay, in representative honours at the Games wasn’t the immediate goal when they both lined up for the 1500m final.

Hay was second and Butchart missed the medals in fourth as Forres Harriers athlete Mark Mitchell won gold in that 2012 contest.

Try as he did over the next two years, Andy didn’t quite make the times required to enter the selection discussion for Glasgow 2014 and an appointment at Hampden.

‘I don’t know if I’ve won at Scotstoun before but I definitely feel I have raced okay there,’ Andy recalled, with Team Scotland having now confirmed his place for Glasgow 2026 over both 5000m and 10,000m.

‘I remember racing Ali Hay there for sure in the Scottish Senior Champs way back when.

‘But I’ve not been there since the track has been relaid of course and I’ve not been there for a long time, so I’m looking forward to getting there and putting on the Scotland vest.

‘I really tried to qualify for Glasgow 2014, but it was always too far for me in terms of how quick I had to run. Other guys made that team.

‘But I’m so lucky and grateful that it’s back in Glasgow that I can be there, enjoy that moment and hopefully do myself proud and do the fans proud.

‘You know I don’t even know what’s going to happen, I’m just so excited, I can’t wait to get there.

‘Fans in Glasgow will bring the noise and I’m really looking forward to being in front of a home crowd, it’s going to be fantastic.’

A well-known figure in his familiar yellow Central vest for many years before moving to Manchester, the double Olympian hopes to be a local hero.

‘I hope I can be, yes. Being a Scottish lad, hopefully I’ll bring a few people to the stadium to watch and hopefully we will hear a few ‘No Butchy, no party’ shouts. I am really looking forward to being there.’

+++

Tags: Andy Butchart, Commonwealth Games, Glasgow 2026, Team Scotland