Melanie Woods, competing in a couple of wheelchair races, says that during the last few months, she’s achieved personal bests in all her distances, adding that it was a wonderful place to be at.
This wheelchair racer intends to compete for Team Scotland in both 400m & 1,500m events at this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
On the last occasion, in Birmingham in ’22, Woods was 4th, so he is pushing for more this time around.
Despite the smaller scale of this game, the number of medals available in para-sports has never been higher.
Glasgow last hosted the Games 8 years ago in ’14. Glasgow stepped in to host the ’26 edition after Victoria withdrew three years ago due to cost concerns.
For Woods, that means competing on her doorstep.
Woods felt elated that it was special to have friends and family among the spectators, especially since the event was close to her hometown. ‘
Previously, Birmingham almost felt like home games. The crowds were supporting anyone with a home national flag.
Woods added that she was hoping Glasgow’s an amplified version of that. She opined that she was hoping to witness so many Scottish flags in the crowd, adding that she thinks that it’s likely to be pretty exciting.
When last in Birmingham, there were 44 medal events in para-sports. However, in Glasgow this year, there may be 47.
Woods opined that the increase may be due to a growing interest in para-sports.
In total, there may be more than 450 para-sports athletes participating in the Commonwealth Games this year.
Woods opined that the increase may be due to a growing interest in para-sport.
She added that it’s developing each year. Every year, the athletes she races against are getting quicker.
She said that the event’s professionalism and the quality of the equipment helped it grow.
‘A victory for parasports’
Global athletes may be preparing for their chance to challenge for more medals than ever.
Raphael Botsyo Nkegbe, from Ghana, may be competing in Glasgow for his 2nd time round.
The 1st time was 8 years ago in ’14, which were his 1st Commonwealth Games.
This year, he’s likely to mark his final appearance at the Games.
