Rescue act: ‘Glasgow 2026 saving the Commonwealth Games brand feels special’ – Eilidh Doyle

Friday 12th June 2026

Eilidh Doyle was chosen as the Team Scotland flag-bearer at Gold Coast 2018 (photo via Team Scotland)

‘Home Games great for athlete and for fans’- Ian Beattie

Eilidh Doyle passionately believes 3000 athletes owe Scotland and Glasgow 2026 an enormous debt of gratitude for saving the Commonwealth Games brand.

Scotland’s most decorated track and field medallist retired with a European title and Olympic relay bronze among her personal haul of fame.

But Doyle has highlighted her Glasgow 2014 silver medal – one of three in the Women’s 400m hurdles – and being Team Scotland flag bearer in Gold Coast four years later as the main highlights of a stellar career.

‘When I retired five years ago I took time to reflect on my career,’ said Eilidh.

‘At one point I sat down with my parents to ask them to tell me their favourite moments when they had supported me in competition.

‘My dad (Ronnie) went for the lap of honour at Hampden at Glasgow 2014 after I won the silver medal. My mum (Gillian) chose me being Team Scotland flag bearer in 2018 at the Gold Coast Games in Australia.

‘So there are two huge highlights from my career across many championships and yet both are from the Commonwealth Games and representing Scotland which always feels very special.

‘It is a multi-sport event which makes it different for track and field athletes and those in other sports. We as a country have had many iconic sporting moments at the Commonwealths and I don’t think we can afford to lose that platform.

‘I had retired come 2022 when Eilish McColgan won gold in the Women’s 10,000m on an amazing night in Birmingham. What a race and what a night – that absolutely thrilled and captivated people watching.’

Eilidh will be flag-bearer (our story in April 2018)

Eilidh was still a teacher by profession when she won her first Games silver in Delhi in 2010 – when she added a second at Hampden she was a poster girl for the event. Four years later a third successive silver was earned in Gold Coast with husband Brian by then also her coach.

The different staging posts of her career were in her thoughts again when the Commonwealth Games looked like dropping off the sporting map a couple of years ago when Australia pulled out.

‘I think the Commonwealth Games is such an important event and for various reasons,’ Eilidh told a Q and A Forum in Glasgow hosted by Lindsays, who sponsor Scottish Athletics.

‘A lot of athletes may see the Games as a stepping stone while for a lot of athletes it is the pinnacle. There is real relevance there for athletes at different points in their careers.

‘For that period when we maybe thought it might not happen – I would have been absolutely devastated to lose the Commonwealths.

‘Now I am feeling excited and positive not only has it been saved as a brand but it has been saved by Glasgow and that feels special.’

Photo by Jamie Simpson

In the countdown to Glasgow 2014, Eilidh stood on the roof of Hampden holding a Saltire for a (quite brilliant) photo opportunity.

The image was not mocked up or photoshopped and she has never asked about the risk assessment.

With World Cup fever running high, she expects those wearing Team Scotland vests at Scotstoun next month to be feel an enormous surge of pride.

‘It’s different because our top athletes often represent GB,’ she added.

‘I think because we don’t get the opportunity to do it that often, I think everybody says that when the Commonwealth Games does come around, it is so special because it’s the one time we get to be Team Scotland.

Photo by Bobby Gavin

‘That is an added element to it. The athletics team for Glasgow 2026 is being selected this week – and I don’t know the names yet – but I am aware that every single one of our top stars (those who represent GB and NI ) put themselves forward for selection. That says it all.

‘For a lot of us as well, when you’re in that team, you know each other so well. Almost everyone has emerged from the athletics pathway in Scotland along the way.

‘You’ve come from the Age Group Champs together, the Scottish Schools together or you’ve been on junior teams together, so there’s definitely an added element of team spirit, the team that’s smaller(than GB and NI) as well.

‘There’s so many elements that combine to inspire and motivate. When you put on that Scotland kit and line up to compete – well, it is just really special. It’s such a great moment.’