Team Scotland’s momentum towards the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games continues to pick up pace with the selection of multiple World and Paralympic cycling medallists Neil Fachie OBE and Fin Graham MBE.

A 19-time World champion and four-time Paralympic Games medallist, Neil has cemented his place in Commonwealth Games history over the past three Games.   Birmingham 2022 saw Neil, piloted by Lewis Stewart, win gold in the Time Trial and silver in the Sprint, making him the second most successful athlete in Team Scotland’s history with five gold and one silver medal. At Glasgow 2026 he will be aiming to topple bowler Alex Marshall from the top of the list, who has five gold, one silver and one bronze.

“In some ways it’s a bit of a surprise, given that I thought my cycling career might be over, but the lure of another Commonwealth Games in Scotland was pretty strong. I’m both excited and a little nervous about getting back into race shape and being on that start line, but excitement definitely wins.

“Some of my favourite moments of my cycling career have been with the Scottish team and the Commonwealth Games by nature is a fun competition anyway. The Scottish team spirit is always really strong and I love being part of the team first and foremost.

“Having a Commonwealth Games in Glasgow under my belt already, I know what it’s like, I know what it means and winning there was truly the best moment of my career.”

A lot has changed since those two golden weeks in 2014, Neil now has a full-time job and a three-year-old son putting demands on his time alongside training.

“It’s very different. Having been a full-time athlete for 15 years, since Paris 2024 I haven’t really trained at all and I’m just getting back into it, trying to get back towards where I was. On the side I’m also going to be working full-time as well so I don’t have that luxury of six days a week to train like I normally would. I have to be smart about how I do it, but I’m confident that I can get back into medal winning shape and we’ll just see where the journey takes us.”

For Fin, Glasgow 2026 will be his first Commonwealth Games and, incredibly, his first time racing for Scotland at any level, but he comes in with a wealth of international success. At Paris 2024, he won his first Paralympic gold in the C1-3 Road Race, also taking silver in the Individual Pursuit on the track, to add to his two silver medals from Tokyo 2020.  In 2025 he became the first para-athlete in history to win a fourth consecutive C3 road race world title and is also a fifteen-time medallist at the Track World Championships, including four gold. He’s had previous success on the very track he’ll race on this summer, winning gold in the Individual Pursuit at the World Championships in Glasgow in 2023.

“It feels amazing. To have the opportunity to ride for Scotland in Scotland is something I never thought would happen, so to get that opportunity is a pinch me moment and I’m really looking forward to it.

“It’s been the top priority for training and motivation, so to have it confirmed is fantastic. It’s something that every athlete dreams of, competing in their home country, so it’s a dream come true.

“Being able to ride and celebrate a World title in front of a home crowd was special, doing that in a Scottish jersey will make it extra special.”

Elinor Middlemiss, Team Scotland Chef de Mission, said: “We are delighted to welcome two athletes of this calibre to Team Scotland for Glasgow 2026. Neil’s achievements speak for themselves and it’s exciting to see Fin making his Team Scotland debut after so much success on the World and Paralympic stage.

“Congratulations to both Fin and Neil, as well as their families, support teams and coaches, and we wish them well in their preparation over the coming months.”

Athletes from across all 10 sports and six para-sports featured at Glasgow 2026 will be selected in the coming months as Team Scotland shapes up for an exciting home Games.

Photography and video credits: Andrew Leinster and Murdo MacGillivray