Team Scotland name strong Para selection for Glasgow (May)
Para track duo Owen Miller and Alexander Thomson are relishing the prospect of racing for Team Scotland at a packed Scotstoun.
Fife AC endurance runner Owen won the Paralympic T20 title in 2021 but his Tokyo experience was impacted by Covid restrictions and a near-empty stadium.
Sprinter Alexander for his part is a VP-Glasgow athlete so Scotstoun is even more of a home Games and, as well as the paying customers, he expects the Commonwealth Games volunteers to take time out from their duties to cheer on Team Scotland athletes.
‘It feels really good to be picked for Scotland for my first Commonwealth Games after a number of years in athletics,’ said Owen.
‘I just want to get on the start-line in Glasgow and do my best for my family who will be there watching. My mum and my gran have tickets and will be there to cheer me on.
‘I like the idea of a full stadium because when I was at the Paralympics in Tokyo it was Covid and we just did not have the same crowd experience as we will have this year. I am enjoying the hype rising for the Games.’
Team Scotland will have three entrants in the T20 1500m as Owen joins current Paralympic champion Ben Sandilands and a third Fife AC athlete, Steven Bryce.
‘We all train together and are all in the same race. It’s great for the coach (Steve Doig) and the group.’
Para power! Gold for Owen in Japan (September 2021)
Alexander will compete in the T38 100m at the (very) familiar Scotstoun.
‘I was selected and raced in Birmingham in 2022 and that was a great experience,’ Alexander, who is coached by Chris Baillie, told us at the Team Scotland kit collection day.
‘The Commonwealth Games only comes around every four years and that adds to the special feeling because you don’t have an opportunity every year or every two years.
‘I had a serious injury and knee surgery at Christmas 2024. So it has been a long road back to fitness. It was hard work just building my knee back and then working on my overall fitness but I’m all good now.
‘I am a VP-Glasgow athlete so this is our home stadium. I’m going to have a Scotland home crowd and VP-Glasgow club-mates there in support. And all the Games helpers and volunteers will be Scottish, too, so they will cheer us on. I can’t wait.’
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Tags:
Alexander Thomson, Glasgow 2026, Owen Miller, Para, Team Scotland