Melanie Woods Targets Medals in Glasgow 2026
Melanie Woods will compete in the 400m and 1500m wheelchair races at the Glasgow 2026 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 is set to represent Team Scotland in the 400m and 1500m events at this summer's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Having finished fourth in Birmingham 2022, Woods is aiming for a higher podium position this time.
Despite the Games being smaller in scale, the number of medals available in para-sports has reached an all-time high.
Melanie is eager to compete in front of a home crowd.
Glasgow last hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and took over hosting duties for the 2026 edition after Victoria withdrew three years ago due to cost concerns.
"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; this year in Glasgow, that number has increased to 47. The first medal event will be in para power-lifting.
More than 450 para-sport athletes are expected to participate in this year's Commonwealth Games.
"It's developing every year. Every year the athletes I race against are all getting faster," Melanie explains.
"I put this down to the professionalism of it, the investment, and the equipment."
'A Victory for Parasports'
Athletes worldwide are preparing to compete for more medals than ever before.
Raphael Botsyo Nkegbe from Ghana will be competing in Glasgow for the second time, having first participated in the 2014 Commonwealth Games, which was also his debut at the event. This year will mark his final appearance at the Games.
"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 many athletes attending Glasgow, the Games offer an opportunity to connect with para-athletes from across the world.
Goodness Chiemerie Nwachukwu, a discus thrower representing Nigeria, is defending her gold medal from Birmingham.
"The things I'm looking forward to are teamwork, social vibes, the thrill of competition, but also the social connection," says Goodness.
Integrated Para-Sport at Glasgow 2026
Organizers emphasize that although the overall Games are smaller, the para-sport program has been significantly enhanced.
"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.
Unlike the Paralympics, which are held separately from the Olympics, para-sport events at the Commonwealth Games are fully integrated into the main schedule.
"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 feature the largest para-sport program in the 96-year history of the Commonwealth Games. Phil Batty hopes this will initiate a new era 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 Woods, the focus remains on the upcoming competition rather than future Games.
"I'm on the hunt for medals," she admits.
"I am hopeful. That's my goal this year."
