It is down to business on the opening day of Athletics and Para-athletics action at Scotstoun Stadium, where Rhiannon Clarke, Yual Reath, Lauren Ryan and Rose Davies will lead the nation into battle as the first medals of the program go on the line in Glasgow.
Para-athletics star Clarke (WA, Danny Kevan, T38) already has Commonwealth Games silver and bronze to her name. The 23-year-old will be looking to complete the set with gold in the Women’s 100m T38, but it won’t be easy.
Clarke is ranked second with her 12.72-second personal best but has her work cut out for her to chase down Sophie Hahn (ENG) at 12.38-seconds.
“I know that I have put the work in and the preparation has been done. I have changed my whole mindset around it that of course I want to go out there and achieve success, but I just want to give it 101 per cent,” Clarke said.
“I have two opportunities and it’s anyone’s race, so hopefully I can complete the set.”
Ella Pardy (WA, Anne Masters, T38) and 18-year-old Briseis Brittain (NT, Roger Chin) will also be chasing a spot in the final. Pardi is one of three returning athletes from the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games team and Brittain is one of the five Indigenous athletes on the Glasgow team.
In the Men’s 100m T38, emerging talent Ullrich Muller (QLD, Stacey Taurima, T38) will look to secure the first major medal of his blossoming career when taking to the track alongside Thomas McGough (VIC, Craig Mahony, T38). Archer Hewett (VIC, Dane Verwey, T20) and Daniel Milone (VIC, Gavin Burren, T20) are primed for the Men’s 1500m T20.
Also setting their eyes on the Glasgow podium will be high jumper Yual Reath (VIC, Mike Barber) and the 10,000m duo of Lauren Ryan (VIC, Stephen Hass) and Rose Davies (NSW, Scott Westcott).
A 2.30m man at the peak of his powers, Reath will set his sights on the medals in the 18-man final, while Ryan and Davies’ best is good enough to mix it with hometown hero Megan Keith (SCO), who is amongst the favourites.
Para-throwers Julie Charlton (NSW, self-coached, F57) and Ainsley Hooker (QLD, self-coached, F57) will compete in the first medal event on the program – the Women’s Shot Put F55-57.
Australian athletics fans won’t have to wait long to be treated to the 100m heats, which will take place in the morning session of day one (prime time in Australia), but sub-10 second man Lachlan Kennedy (QLD, Andrew Islein) has been awarded a bye to the semi-finals as one of the top-ranked athletes.
Edward Nketia (ACT, Brenton Emmanuel) and Rohan Browning (NSW, Jack Edwards) will take to the track though, both arriving off windy sub-10 second performances on the eve of the championships.
“It’s my first international Games in the green and gold, so I’m excited,” Nketia said.
“It’s going to be awesome. All I have to do is focus on execution, shine and just make the finals and give it everything I have got to hopefully get a medal.”
Australian record holder Torrie Lewis (QLD, Laurent Meuwly) will feature alongside World University Games champion Georgia Harris (QLD, Paul Pearce) and Ebony Lane (QLD, Christopher Dale) in the first of three rounds in the Women’s 100m.
Adding to the qualifying action will be hammer throwers Stephanie Ratcliffe (VIC, Dale Stevenson) and Lara Roberts (QLD, Matt Horneham), along with long jumpers Liam Adcock (QLD, self-coached) and Chris Mitrevski (VIC, Alex Stewart).
Sarah Billings (VIC, Nic Bideau) will round out the first-round contests on day one when taking to the Women’s 800m heats.
Australian viewers can tune in to the 2026 Commonwealth Games live and free via Channel 7 and 7plus, with streaming times available via the Australian Athletics Commonwealth Games Hub.
By Lachlan Moorhouse, Australian Athletics
Posted 27/7/2026
