There won’t be many athletes in Glasgow for this year’s Commonwealth Games who can say they were at the last Games in 2014.
Angela Ballard is one such athlete.
She won a gold medal at the Games in the wheelchair T54 1500m event all those years ago, a race she will once again contest in July as well as the T54 400m.
It’s a remarkable Australian sporting story.
Ballard, 43, is the only Para-athlete in our history that has been selected and will compete in five Commonwealth Games.
As well as the gold medal in Glasgow, she also has a silver medal from the Gold Coast in 2018, and a silver medal from Birmingham in 2022.
Looking back at her first trip to Glasgow, Ballard has fond memories of her gold medal winning race.
“I remember the build up really well,” she said.
“I felt like it was one of those competitions where I knew I could pull everything together, I had a chance.
“It was raining on race day, and I remember planning for that as that’s one of my strengths, racing in the rain.
“It just came together on the day, and it felt really easy and you don’t get many races like that.
“It was awesome to win.”
This year coming back to her fifth games, Ballard is looking forward to mentoring the younger athletes who are heading to their first Games.
She will always remember athletes who did the same for her, and she is happy to pass on the wisdom that comes with experience.
“I’ve been around a long time and I’m excited about the Commonwealth Games, but I’m just as excited for some of my younger teammates who get the opportunity to go to their first Games,” she said.
“I had some wonderful people both Australians and from other teams who would take the time to have a conversation on things like how to approach a race, it made a world of difference to me in my development and confidence to keep going.
“I think the wonderful thing about the Commonwealth Games is it’s not quite the same pressure as a World Championships or Paralympic Games.
“It’s still a world class event, but it’s a bit warmer and has more of a community feeling to it.
“I think the relaxed atmosphere for me means I feel like I can give a lot more to those teammates, who are at their first meet and don’t know what to expect.
“Just to be a friendly face.
“I think that’s one of the greatest things about sport, being in that team environment.”
Ballard is one of 24 Para-athletes selected for the athletics team for the Commonwealth Games.
The full team listed HERE.
By Luke Dennehy, Australian Athletics
Posted 8/5/2026
