Golden Start for Hahn, Young and Sandilands as Home Nations Shine in Opening Two Days of Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Sophie Hahn, Thomas Young and Ben Sandilands delivered golden moments for the home nations as the Athletics and Para Athletics programme got underway at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, with a host of standout performances and medals across the opening two days of competition.

Day one saw three gold medals with Hahn led a British clean sweep in the women’s T38 100m, while Young celebrated his birthday in style by claiming T38 100m gold and a Commonwealth Games record and Ben Sandilands fought off competition as the favourite to win the T20 1500m on home soil.

The first athletics medals of Glasgow 2026 belonged to the British contingent as Sophie Hahn (England), Livvy Breen (Wales) and Maddie Down (England) locked out the podium in the women’s T38 100m.

Hahn stormed to gold in 12.79, with Breen narrowly edging Down for silver as both athletes crossed the line in 12.86.

The victory marked Hahn’s first Commonwealth title since 2018, making the win even more special.

“The crowd really got behind me and I just felt that I had to focus,” said Hahn.

“This is very special. It’s been a long time since I last won a Commonwealth Games back in 2018. This means a lot to come here in a home Games and to win.”

One of the standout performances of the opening day came from Thomas Young (England), who produced a superb run in the men’s T38 100m.

Young stopped the clock in a Commonwealth Games record of 11.11 seconds to secure gold, holding off strong Australian opposition and completing his collection of major championship honours.

The achievement was made even sweeter as it came on his birthday.

“It might be the best birthday I’ve ever had,” said Young.

“It means so much to represent Team England, I’ve now completed the set and won the gold medal so I’m lost for words.”

Scotland’s Ben Sandilands gave the home fans plenty to celebrate as he claimed T20 1500m gold in front of a passionate Glasgow crowd, saying his highlight was getting to sing Flower of Scotland with the crowd.

There was also a landmark achievement for the Isle of Man as David Mullarkey secured bronze in the men’s 10,000m.

His podium finish saw him become the first athlete in Commonwealth Games history to win an athletics medal for the Isle of Man, the first in 68 years of the Island’s history at the games.

Day two brought testing weather conditions, with wind and rain sweeping across the stadium for the sprint finals.

Amy Hunt (England) produced an excellent performance to win silver in the women’s 100m in 10.98, narrowly missing her personal best despite the difficult conditions. Fellow Briton Imani-Lara Lansiquot finished fourth after clocking a season’s best 11.02.

“We definitely came in to get the gold,” said Hunt.

“I love a head-to-head. I did really well to beat Zoe Hobbs in the semis but she’s such a formidable athlete, so I’m really happy to come away with silver, very close to my personal best in these very Glaswegian conditions.

“To be bringing medals back from every Champs is something I’m really proud of.”

In the men’s 100m, Jeremiah Azu (Wales) produced a season’s best performance on his way to fifth place in the final.

Two athletes also enjoyed medal-winning Commonwealth Games debuts. Sam Bennett (England) ran a personal best of 13.30 to secure silver in the men’s 110m hurdles, while Kimani Jack (England) cleared 2.20m to take bronze in the high jump.

Bennett credited the atmosphere generated by the Glasgow crowd after claiming his first Commonwealth medal.

“The atmosphere was really cool,” he said.

“Hearing people shout my name and shout Team England is something I’ve not experienced in a really long time, if ever, so it was really cool.”

Jack was similarly impressed by the reception from spectators.

“I wanted to win, I always want to be the best, but I can still be happy with a bronze,” he said.

“I really loved it out there, it was a great experience. Glasgow know how to put on an event. The crowd were loud, they were into it.”