‘Glasgow can be hosts with the most and inspirational for Scottish athletes’ – Denise Lewis

Wednesday 1st July 2026

Photo by Jamie Simpson

‘Glasgow saving the Games brand feels special’ – Eilidh Doyle

By Chris Story

Olympic gold medalist Dame Denise Lewis hailed Glasgow’s sporting passion as she spoke of the inspirational impact that she expects from the Commonwealth Games.

The city’s stature as a host on the world sporting stage was celebrated by a trio of influential Olympians – all Commonwealth medal-winners – at a special event held by legal firm Lindsays.

Lewis was joined by Scotland’s most decorated track and field athlete, Eilidh Doyle, and UK Athletics Chief Executive Jack Buckner, the former distance runner, in sharing their sporting experiences and insight with an audience of local athletics club volunteers and business representatives in Glasgow.

They looked forward to a super summer of athletics across the United Kingdom, with Glasgow hosting the Commonwealth Games ahead of the European Athletics Championships being held in Birmingham.

Speaking at the Lindsays Sports Forum, Lewis said: ‘lasgow is a city which has sport at its heart, so it’s brilliant to have the Commonwealth Games returning here. The fact that Glasgow rallied to give athletes this opportunity and continue a great legacy is fantastic.

‘This is a massive summer of sport which really puts the spotlight on the UK as good hosts.’

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Photo by Jamie Simpson

In conversation with Ian Beattie, Chief Operating Officer of Lindsays, who is also the Chair of UK Athletics, panelists spoke of their early sporting inspirations and the importance of the Commonwealth Games as a springboard for them as international athletes.

Denise, who won gold in the heptathlon in the Sydney 2000 Olympics has experienced Glasgow as both a competitor and broadcaster – and is sure all who arrive in the city next month (July) will have a great experience.

‘Glasgow has passion. You can’t say that passion is light in this city,’ she added.

‘People here get behind athletes from all over the globe as they will do at these Commonwealth Games.

‘This is a dynamic city, there’s a lot going on, things are moving forward, it’s cosmopolitan. I like it here. It’s always friendly, vibrant and shows that sport is fun, bringing people together.’

Denise Lewis in Glasgow recently with Jack Buckner (photo by Jamie Simpson)

Athletics clubs represented in the audience at the AC Marriott hotel in George Street included Cambuslang Harriers, Shettleston Harriers, Garscube Harriers and Motherwell Athletics Club.

And, following the stand-out success of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the current President of UK Athletics feels sure the event’s return will give plenty for Scottish athletics fans to cheer – as well as being a sporting inspiration.

She said: ‘The power of sport galvanises people. Events like this get people involved and start thinking not only about their own health and wellbeing journeys but, for coaches and officials, how they can give back and inspire young people to choose a life in sport at whatever level.

‘Major championships are about the inspiration – knowing where you were, what the memorable moment for you was and what spark it lit in you.’

Lindsays, whose offices include those in Glasgow city centre, is a significant supporter of grassroots sport in Scotland.

The firm this year extended its sponsorship of the scottishathletics cross country season to its recently concluded road race series, which included a record 1450 combined field competing in the 5k and 10k events in Edinburgh and Glasgow. The dual sponsorship deal will continue until 2029.