Chefs de Mission look ahead to the Games
Glasgow 2026 has welcomed 69 Commonwealth nations and territories to the city for a brilliant three-day Chefs de Mission Seminar.
The seminar saw essential information shared from all Functional Areas of the Games, including Accommodation, Transport, Protocol, Medical, Security, Sport, Ticketing and more. It provided an opportunity for Chefs de Mission and General Team Managers to experience the Games venues firsthand and to build strong relationships with the Glasgow 2026 team. We heard from a few attendees on how they’re feeling ahead of Glasgow 2026.
GETHIN JONES – WALES – CHEF DE MISSION
“I’m just delighted that Glasgow have taken it on, we didn’t think it might happen at one point, but here we are - and the last couple of days have proven the passion.
“It’s essential that the Commonwealth Games not only continue, but thrive. We have spoken about how the Commonwealth moment needs to keep pushing forward and I think Glasgow is going to deliver in a huge way.
“Glasgow is definitely going to feel like a home Games for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland; for England, well the banter has already started there, but I think it will feel like a home Games for all of us and it’s kind of unique in that as home nations we get to wear our own vests for this competition which is very special and our athletes love to wear the red of Wales.”
NIGEL AVERY – NEW ZEALAND – CHEF DE MISSION
“Our main goal over the last few days has been to visit the venues and get a feeling for the setup, which it has been fantastic to do with those working on Glasgow 2026.
“We are super-pumped to be here with our feet on the ground with four months to go. We’re super happy the event is taking place, really grateful.
“The Commonwealth Games has a really special place in my heart and it does for so many people across New Zealand. When it’s on, it’s full-noise and a lot of attention and a lot of celebration for the results that that team achieve.
“So, we’re really appreciative of Glasgow putting their hands up to do this edition of the Games. I think it’s a reset for the Games, but it’s a positive one and the people that we’ve been speaking to this week have been really positive too so we’re just really looking forward to contributing to the success of what I’m sure it will be.”
DONNA REYNOR – BERMUDA – CHEF DE MISSION
“For us the Commonwealth Games is one of our major events and we’re always excited and looking forward to these events getting started.
“For us, track and field and swimming are two of our main sports and it’s a fantastic opportunity for some our athletes who are starting to reach the pinnacle of sport to show our young athletes in Bermuda, which is an island of 65 thousand people, that it’s possible to come from a small nation but still make it in this big wide world of sports.
“When I think of Glasgow 2026 I think of sunny weather and everything being very vibrant. This is a beautiful city, it’s the third time I’ve come and every time I come I love it so when we talk about the Commonwealth Games I think there’s going to be a lot of excitement.”
PETRIA THOMAS – AUSTRLIA – CHEF DE MISSION
“Everyone is really excited for the Games. It’s really special and great to be coming back to Glasgow. Obviously it was a difficult period with cancelation of the Games in Australia but I think that period, where people thought there might not be a Games and now there is, makes it even more special.
“Glasgow hosted a very successful Games here in 2014 and I think that passion is really still strong within our Australian athletes and they all want to be part of this competition coming up.
“The Commonwealth Games is very special with a strong place in my heart as it was my first multi-sport event as an athlete back in 1994 and I’ve fallen in love and really enjoyed doing three games as athlete before moving into the other side, supporting the team and trying to create an environment where they (current athletes) can perform to their best.
“One of the great major features of the Games is the integrated nature of it and it’s one of the things that the athletes love as well, is that they get to share the stage with Olympic and Paralympic colleagues as well and it’s one of the really uniquely positive features about the Commonwealth Games.”
TERRY TAY – SINGAPORE – ASSISTANT CHEF DE MISSION / GENERAL TEAM MANAGER
“Over the last few days it has felt a bit like a ‘home coming’ because I competed here at Glasgow 2014 and so it’s nice to be back again in a different role, but I think that the heart and the mindset is the same, because as an athlete you want to give your best and now we do that as a (management) team and we’re really looking forward to July.
“Pre-Games people want to know what is going on so being here has been really useful to visit venues now four months from the Games. I remember going to my first Commonwealth Youth Games in 2011 and again in 2014 where there were people who had all of the information and now I can be in that position in mentor the next generation.”
