Team England athletics squad reshuffled ahead of Glasgow 2026 opening
Olympic medallists Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Dina Asher-Smith among those replaced as Commonwealth Games face scrutiny over calendar placement and global participation.
Team England’s athletics squad has undergone significant changes just as the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow prepare to open, with Olympic silver medallist Katarina Johnson-Thompson withdrawing due to injury. Johnson-Thompson, 33, was set to compete in her third Commonwealth Games heptathlon, having previously secured gold in 2018 and 2022. She has been replaced in the squad by Niamh Emerson, who took bronze behind Johnson-Thompson in 2018.
The withdrawals extend beyond the heptathlon, with sprinters Dina Asher-Smith, Matt Hudson-Smith, Daryll Neita, and Amber Anning also replaced in the squad. Hudson-Smith, an Olympic 400m silver medallist, and Asher-Smith were both scheduled to run in relay events. Team England provided no specific details regarding the nature of Johnson-Thompson’s injury, confirming only that she had been removed from the competition.
Additional athletes have been called up to fill the vacancies, including Renee Regis, Ebuka Nwokeji, Tara Simpson-Sullivan, and Tom Keen. The reshuffle occurs on the day of the opening ceremony, with track and field competition scheduled to begin on Monday. The loss of such high-profile athletes has been described as a significant blow to the event’s profile on the eve of its commencement.
The absence of major stars has intensified questions regarding the Commonwealth Games’ standing in the international sporting calendar. Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson had already opted out to prioritise the European Championships in Birmingham, which began on 10 August. Other notable absences include St Lucia’s 100m Olympic champion Julien Alfred and Canadian swimmer Summer McIntosh, who is favouring the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships.
Major sporting nations such as the United States, China, and most European countries are not participating in the Glasgow 2026 Games. The event’s scheduling has been complicated by Victoria’s withdrawal as hosts in 2023, leading to a late confirmation of dates in October last year and a compressed 18-month preparation period. Commonwealth Sport chief executive Katie Sadlier acknowledged the difficulty in finding a suitable gap in the two-year sporting calendar.
Despite the high-profile withdrawals, Glasgow 2026 chief executive Phil Batty emphasised the importance of showcasing emerging talent. Batty noted that the event aims to replicate the breakthrough moments seen at the 2014 Glasgow Games, focusing on athletes at the pinnacle of their careers or those on the cusp of international stardom. Scottish athletes, including mile world record holder Josh Kerr and defending 10,000m champion Eilish McColgan, remain key medal hopes for the host nation.
