Photo by Craig Watson
Team Scotland name eight Para Scots for Glasgow 2026
Melanie Woods believes the Commonwealth Games selection of eight athletes is a good sign for the Para side of the sport in Scotland.
The cohort was named earlier this month by Team Scotland after a qualification process based on rankings for Glasgow 2026.
Melanie, who won two medals at the World Para Champs last summer, will race in two events at Scotstoun – wheelchair 1500m and 400m.
‘It is really good to have a bigger group of us for Glasgow 2026,’ said Melanie.
‘Para athletics is growing, you know, and it’s getting more competitive to be on the team.
‘I just think it is very exciting to see what is happening and that there’s growth (at clubs) in Para athletics in Scotland is. I think we are in a good place and the representation on Team Scotland reflects that.
‘I’m very excited to compete in two events. The last Games in Birmingham I had only one; so having two is even more of a bonus.’
Photo by Craig Watson for Team Scotland
Melanie won her first global medals in Paris last autumn with bronze in the T54 800m as a breakthrough and then a second bronze over 1500m.
‘To be on the international stage and come home with two medals – I think it just gives you more confidence,’ she reflected.
‘I feel I will now have a kind of different presence on the track when competing. So I am excited for this year to kind of build on that. And obviously Commonwealth Games is an exciting one for all Scots.
‘The venue at Scotstoun is not far from where I grew up, but as it happens I’ve never competed there. So it will be a kind of whole new experience.
‘I think it’s just so exciting to for it to be in Glasgow and close to home. I will take the chance to train there over the next couple of months to get used to it a little bit.’
Melanie at Birmingham 2022 with Sammi Kinghorn (photo by Bobby Gavin)
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Melanie Woods, Para athletics, Team Scotland