Elinor Middlemiss has been appointed as Team Scotland’s Chef de Mission for the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games.  

Middlemiss will lead Team Scotland for a second Games, following a highly successful Birmingham 2022 which saw the team celebrate their best medal tally ever at a Games outside Scotland.  She currently serves as Commonwealth Games Scotland’s Head of Games Operations and had previously served as Deputy Chef de Mission at both Glasgow 2014 and Gold Coast 2018. 

Scotland’s highest capped female Badminton player of all-time, Elinor represented Team Scotland at five Commonwealth Games winning a Women’s Doubles bronze medal with Sandra Watt in 1998 and Team bronze in 2002.  

When appointed to the Chef de Mission role for Birmingham 2022, she became the first woman in this post since the Games began in 1930, and the first former Commonwealth Games athlete to lead the Scottish team since Sir Peter Heatly in 1978. 

Elinor Middlemiss, Team Scotland Chef de Mission, Victoria 2026, said: 

“I’m honoured to have been asked to take on the role of Chef de Mission for a second time at Victoria 2026. I’m very much looking forward to the journey over the next three years and making it a memorable and successful experience for every member of the team. 

“I had an excellent team around me in Birmingham and building that strong group of Team Management will be key again for Victoria 2026.” 

Paul Bush OBE, Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland said:  

“I am delighted to welcome Elinor back to the Chef de Mission role for Victoria 2026. The planning for an overseas Games will, of course, be very different to a Games close to home in Birmingham, something of which Elinor has valuable experience. What does not change is the commitment to ensuring our athletes are given the best possible preparation and the right environment in which to excel.” 

The 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held in five regional hubs across the State of Victoria, Australia from 17-29 March.