Glasgow 2026: Record number of para-sport medals at Commonwealth Games

"In the last few months, I've got personal bests in all my distances, so that's a good place to be," says Melanie Woods.

The wheelchair racer will be competing for Team Scotland in the 400m and 1500m at this summer's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Last time, in Birmingham 2022, she came fourth, but is pushing for more this time around.

And, despite this being a smaller Games, there have never been more medals up for grabs in para-sports.

Glasgow last hosted the Games in 2014 and only stepped in to stage the 2026 edition when Victoria pulled out, three years ago, on cost grounds.

For Melanie, that means competing on her own doorstep.

"To have friends and family in the crowd, being close to my home town, it's special.

"Birmingham almost felt like a home Games. The crowd were getting behind anyone with a home nations flag.

"I'm hoping Glasgow is an amplified version of that. I'm going to see so many Scottish flags in the crowd, and I think that's going to be pretty exciting."

In Birmingham, there were 44 medal events in para-sports, but in Glasgow this year there will be 47.

The first medal will be for para power-lifting.

In total, there are more than 450 para-sports athletes taking part in the Commonwealth Games this year.

Melanie believes the increase is down to a growing interest in para-sport.

"It's developing every year. Every year the athletes I race against are all getting faster," she says.

Melanie puts this down to "the professionalism of it, the investment, and the equipment".

Athletes around the world are preparing for their chance to challenge for more medals than ever.

Raphael Botsyo Nkegbe, from Ghana, will be competing in Glasgow for the second time.

The first time was in 2014, at his first Commonwealth Games.

This year will mark his final appearance at the Games.

He believes more para-athletes in Africa are competing to reach elite levels.

"More medals available is a form of motivation," says Raphael.

"People are looking beyond their disability. Sports are becoming big. Parents are encouraging their children with disabilities to go into sports.

"It's a victory for para-sports around the globe and in Africa."

For others coming to Glasgow, it's a chance to connect with other para-athletes from around the world.

Goodness Chiemerie Nwachukwu, from Nigeria, is defending a gold medal she won in discus at Birmingham.

For her, meeting up with others is as important as what happens in the stadium.

"The things I'm looking forward to are teamwork, social vibes, the thrill of competition, but also the social connection," says Goodness.

Organisers say that, despite the Games overall being smaller, they believe they have "upped their game" when it comes to the para-sport offering.

"One of the things that makes the Commonwealth Games so special is the integrated nature of the sport," says Phil Batty, CEO of Glasgow 2026.

Para-sport is included in the main schedule of events, unlike the Paralympics which runs separately to the Olympics.

"Having completely integrated sport across six of our sports is one of the things that makes us, on the global sporting calendar, a standout moment."

Glasgow 2026 will be the largest para-sport programme in the 96-year history of the Commonwealth Games, something Phil hopes will kick-start a revolution for para-athletes.

"We hope that Glasgow 2026 will be a really defining moment for para-sport," he says.

"Hopefully we're setting a new benchmark for future editions of the Games to follow."

For Melanie, however, the focus isn't on 2030 or 2034, but July 2026.

"I'm on the hunt for medals," she admits.

"I am hopeful. That's my goal this year."