She had already enjoyed 10 “amazing” days before arriving at the rain-soaked Hampden Park track for the culmination of the athletics programme at the 2014 Games.

While the conditions were far from ideal – for athletes or organisers – few were concerned it would still be anything other than a night of celebration, and so it proved.

The site of Usain Bolt, making the only Commonwealth final appearance of his career, happily dancing along to the Proclaimers’ iconic ‘I’m Gonna Be (500 miles)’ just moments before the men’s 4x100m final showdown, gave a glimpse of the party atmosphere.

 

Soon he would anchor the Jamaican men to a stunning victory in a Games record time of 37.58 seconds. Then came Sarah’s moment.

“I was selected as a medal bearer at the athletics events and my role was to carry the medals into the arena and present them to the VIP guest, who would then present to the athletes,” she says with a smile.

“Every day with the (volunteering) team was fun, but the stand out moment has to be when I got to carry Usain Bolt's gold medal.

“He was so pleasant to everybody, all of the athletes and all of the VIPs who were presenting the medals to the athletes and I was lucky enough to grab a quick photo with him.

Sarah, who was studying Event Management at University at the time, adds; “I was actually the only one that managed to do it and I don’t know if the rest of the team were too happy, but I had to take that split-second opportunity while I got it and he was really friendly.”

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From Bolt Selfies to Birthday Celebrations

Carrying the gold medal which was awarded to home-favourite Libby Clegg after her T12 100m victory was another “special and surreal” highlight for Sarah, as was turning 21 during the Games.

“I could not have wished for a better birthday celebration for such a milestone birthday as it was back then and it was honestly just the most surreal experience,” she recalls.

“I was so fortunate enough to have the piper, who was part of the ceremony team, once all the activity had happened (for the day), he played out a ‘happy birthday’ into the Hampden Arena.

“All my team were there with a birthday cake to celebrate, which was just such a special, special experience and a unique way to celebrate your 21st birthday!”

Why you should volunteer at Glasgow 2026

Sarah appreciates that not everyone will have a volunteering role which replicates her “full experience” at Glasgow 2014, but she insists the camaraderie all ‘Clydesiders’ played a role in creating is something likely to be replicated by those involved in Glasgow 2026.

“Any expect expectations I did have; it (Glasgow 2014) totally blew that out of the water,” she says.

“I met and worked with so many amazing people from all over the world, from all different backgrounds and of all ages which gave me the opportunity to learn about different cultures and backgrounds which was just such a unique experience.

“I genuinely made friendships for life through that volunteering opportunity, who I am still in touch with today and I also picked up so many transferable skills, as well as confidence, which I take with me today personally and professionally.”

‘Glasgow will once again make the Commonwealth movement proud.’

Sarah admits it was “so exciting” to learn that Glasgow would host the Commonwealth Games once more, come 2026 and she is confident the city will once more create an unforgettable atmosphere for athletes, fans and volunteers alike.

“It was such a proud time for Glasgow in 2014 when the city really did come together and I'm sure that'll be the exact same in 2026,” she insists.

“You know that feel-good atmosphere in the city at the time was just incredible, and it was all anyone spoke about; there was just such a friendly and that sense of togetherness, which I was so proud to be part of.

“I think that was a monumental moment for the Commonwealth Games as well, because the kind of community aspect and it's an experience that I'll always treasure.

“It just felt like everybody was one big family, no matter your role, we were all part of this together, which was lovely and I’m really excited for the (new) volunteers, like the younger generation, to get the chance that I had!”

If Sarah’s story has whet your appetite for all-things volunteering at Glasgow 2026, head to the volunteering hub and begin your journey to the Games.