Backing the Best: six to watch at Glasgow 2026

Mark Swan - para powerlifting

Mark Swan began powerlifting through events organised by the Dwarf Sports Association and his first competitive lift of 70kg earned him a bronze medal, sparking his passion for the sport.

Having clinched lightweight silver at Birmingham 2022, 65kg silver at the Paris 2024 Paralympics and bronze at the 2025 World Para Powerlifting Championships, the 25-year-old will be aiming to expand his medal haul in Glasgow.

And while he may need to beat world-record holder Bonnie Bunyau Gustin to win gold, the County Durham lifter is coming into the Games in great shape.

When to see him

Fri 24 July: 13.00–16.30 (lightweight final) 

3x3 wheelchair basketball teams

The England teams will again compete in the 3x3 wheelchair basketball competition at Glasgow 2026, with the sport having made a successful Commonwealth debut at Birmingham 2022.

Four years ago, both the men's and women's teams won historic bronze medals for England, and they'll be aiming to go even better this summer.

The men's squad features Backing the Best-funded athletes James Hazell, captain of successive BUCS title winning teams, and European Under-23 champion Tom Harvey. They're joined in making their Commonwealth Games debutes by Peter Cusask and Oscar Knight.

While the women's team sees Backing the Best athlete Lucy Robinson, taking her Commonwealth bow looking to add to two Paralympic and three European medals. She'll be joined by Charlotte Moore, Jade Atkin and Joy Haizelden, who will all be making their second Commonwealth Games appearances.

When to see them

Fri 24 July: 

• Women: 12:05 England v Australia
• Men: 16:35 England v Australia

Sun 26 July: 

• Women: 12:45 England v Canada
• Men: 14:00 England v Canada

Mon 27 July:

• Women: 12:20 South Africa v England
• Men: 14:25 (Kenya v England)

Tue 28 July:

• Men: 18:30 semi-final play-in games
• Women: 20:30 semi-final play-in games

Wed 29 July:

• Men:
  • 12:30 semi-finals
  • 17:30 finals
• Women:
  • 14:30 semi-finals
  • 18:00 finals

Freya Anderson - swimming

Two-time Olympian Freya Anderson is one of Team England's leading lights and arrives in Glasgow looking to add to her remarkable six Commonwealth medals, earned over the last two Games.

After two bronze medals on the Gold Coast in 2018, the 25-year-old won silver in the 4x100m freestyle and the 4x100m mixed freestyle relays in Birmingham, as well as further bronzes in the 4x100m mixed medley and 4x200m freestyle relays.

Anderson is an exemplification of the British swimming pathway, having progressed from club swimming in Merseyside to earn a scholarship to Ellesmere College, before moving into the Aquatics GB performance system and developing through the Bath Performance Centre and national programme.

When to see her

Fri 24 July: 10.30–13.00 (4x100m freestyle relay heats), 19.00–22.00 (final)

Sat 25 July: 10.30–13.00 (200m freestyle heats, mixed 4x100m freestyle relay heats), 19.00–22.15 (200m freestyle final, mixed 4x100m freestyle relay final)

Sun 26 July: 10.30–12.45 (100m freestyle heats), 19.00–22.00 (semi-final)

Mon 27 July: 19.00–22.15 (100m freestyle final, 4 x 200m freestyle relay final)

Tue 28 July: 10.30–13.15 (mixed 4x100m medley relay heats), 19.00–22.15 (final)

Poppy Maskill - para swimming

One of Team England's most exciting medal hopes for Glasgow 2026, Poppy Maskill is already a Paralympic champion, world champion and world-record holder at the age of just 21.

The S14 swimmer won an incredible five medals – including three gold – at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, setting a world record in the S14 100m butterfly. The Middlewich athlete was made an MBE in 2025.

When to see her

Sat 25 July: 10.30–13.00 (S14 200 freestyle heats), 19.00–22.15 (final) 

Taeja James - artistic gymnastics

Taeja James can boast one of the most notable comeback stories in Team England's squad for Glasgow 2026.

After winning a Commonwealth team event silver medal as a teenager at Gold Coast 2018, she stepped away from elite gymnastics for five years and has now fought her way back to the sport's biggest stages.

The Nottingham-born 23-year-old is part of a five-strong team looking to emulate Team England’s success at Birmingham 2022, where they topped the gymnastics medal table with 11 golds.

Where to see her

Sat 25 July: 10.00–14.00 and 15.45–20.45 (team final and individual qualification)

Sun 26 July: 18:00– 21:00 (individual all-around final)

Mon 27 July: 13.00–17.30 (vault and uneven bars finals)

Tue 28 July: 13.00–17.30 (balance beam and floor exercise finals)

Georgina Forde-Wells - triple jump

Rising triple jump star Georgina Forde-Wells is competing in her first Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

At 23, she's established herself as Britain's leading female triple jumper and is coming into the Games on the back of multiple national titles, both indoor and outdoor.

While the Northampton athlete will be focused on the triple jump in these Games, she’s also a talented long jumper.

When to see her

Wed 29 July: 10.00–13.00 (qualifying round)

Thu 30 July: 18.30–22.00 (final)