SCOTTISH para powerlifter Finlay Davidson says competing for the first medal at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will be one of the proudest moments of his life.
The 21-year-old from Inverkeithing, Fife has already competed at two world championships and is ranked seventh in the Commonwealth – and has now been officially selected for Team Scotland.
Davidson started his journey of para powerlifting in 2022 after he was inspired by the Birmingham Games. He says Glasgow 2026 will also mark his first time competing on home soil in any competition.
He will be the first Scottish athlete to compete for a medal at the games when para powerlifting opens the sporting programme on 24 July in the SEC Armadillo.
Davidson’s selection was unveiled at Dynamic Earth, in Edinburgh, as part of All In – Glasgow 2026’s nationwide campaign calling on the nation to join the Commonwealth Games celebration.
Davidson is coached by renowned para powerlifting coach Neil Crosbie, who guided double amputee Micky Yule to Commonwealth Bronze at Birmingham 2022, and said it will be “a dream come true” to pull on the Scotland vest at a home games.
Featuring 10 sports and a record-breaking para sport programme from 23 July to 2 August, hundreds of thousands of tickets have already been snapped up for Glasgow 2026.
The games will take place within an eight-mile corridor across Glasgow, creating a festival-style atmosphere at venues including Scotstoun Stadium, the Scottish Event Campus (SEC), the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and Arena, and Tollcross International Swimming Centre.
More than 3,000 athletes are set to compete, supported by more than 3,000 volunteers and fans from across Scotland and beyond.
Speaking about his journey, Davidson said :“It’s been my dream to compete in a Commonwealth Games since taking up the sport.
“It’s the only time you get to pull on the Scotland vest and represent your home nation, and I never thought I’d get the chance to do it at a home games.
“When Glasgow stepped in to take on 2026, I knew I had to be there – I think a lot of Team Scotland athletes will feel the same.
“Competing for the first medal for Team Scotland will be one of the proudest moments of my life. I’ll be putting everything into performing to the best of my ability for the home support.
“I’m immensely proud that a games in Scotland is leading by example with the biggest para sport programme in Commonwealth Games history.
“Putting para and non-para athletes side by side is so important – in sport and beyond. This is going to be one of the most special Commonwealth Games ever and I’m so excited to be part of it.”
He added: “Glasgow 2026 is Scotland’s Games and we want the whole nation to get behind us.
“At a grassroots level, getting people involved is massive, and All In will help get more people into sport, open up new opportunities, and get the whole nation to feel part of this fantastic event in our home country.”
Elinor Middlemiss MBE, Team Scotland chef de mission, said: “Finlay’s selection is a fantastic moment for Team Scotland and for Para Powerlifting in this country.
“In a short space of time he has shown the talent, commitment and resilience needed to compete on the world stage, and Glasgow 2026 gives him the perfect platform to do that in front of a home crowd.
“To have a Scottish para athlete lifting for the first medal of the games is hugely symbolic.
“It underlines the importance of para sport to Glasgow 2026 and the Commonwealth movement, and sends a powerful message to young disabled people across Scotland that there is a pathway for them in high-performance sport.
“With the support of Scottish fans and the energy All In is creating across the country, we believe Finlay and the rest of Team Scotland can deliver something very special this summer.”
