Jake celebrates Men’s 800m gold at the UK Champs (photo Getty Images for British Athletics)
Jakes lands bronze in Birmingham
Jake Wightman’s weighty CV already boasts a World title and a handful of other significant medals at the very top of global athletics.
Two of those baubles are bronze medals from the Commonwealth Games.
His third place at Gold Coast 2018 was in many ways a breakthrough moment and, four years later, he made the podium in Birmingham only a couple of weeks after that memorable 2022 global gold in Eugene, Oregon.
To say he wants to complete the Commonwealth hat-trick would not be strictly accurate.
Nice though that would be, this renowned championship performer is aiming high . . . victory in the mile at Scotstoun is very much his target.
‘It would be good to upgrade from my two bronze medals at the Commonwealths,’ smiled Jake, who won gold in the 800m at the UK Champs last weekend and was one of three athletes pre-selected for Glasgow 2026 last autumn.
‘I think for me the one thing now is I don’t have the lingering pressure of me needing to win a medal. I have done that (twice).
‘I feel if you are ever going to get gold representing Team Scotland then this would be an amazing one to win.’
Trio are first names for Games
‘You get yourself up for events each year and each championships but you don’t need any extra motivation for Scotstoun.
‘It is going to be hugely enjoyable for the Mile winner and if I can do that in front of family, friends and Scottish fans that would be very special. Suddenly it now feels very close.’
Emerging from the athletics pathway in Scotland some 15 or so years ago, Jake recalled racing Youth Development League fixtures at the Glasgow venue.
‘I raced Age Group Champs at Scotstoun back in the day and Scottish YDL meets, too,’ he remembered,
‘A photo popped up on social media of myself and Neil racing there in an U18 final I think it was. It is funny because we are both back there this time in the Team Scotland colours but the stadium looks a little different.
‘But at the core it is the same place and I am sure the trains will still run in the background behind the stand on the back straight.
‘So it is a track we are all used to and it will be our people from athletics in Scotland cheering us on, I am sure.’
Jake in action at Glasgow 2014 (photo by Bobby Gavin)
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Photo: Team Scotland
BBC Scotland interview with Neil
Neil Gourley is working hard to recover fitness after injury in time for Scotstoun.
The Giffnock North AC athlete, who won silver at the World Indoors in 2025, has had a difficult 2026 with two different injuries restricting his training.
Two races in two days at the UK Champs was a step in the right direction in the countdown to the Mile at Glasgow 2026.
In our Birmingham interview, Neil told why it would feel special to represent Team Scotland in Scotland.
Tags:
Commonwealth Games, Glasgow 2026, Jake Wightman