Para powerlifter Finlay Davidson says it will be a dream come true to represent Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The 21-year-old, from Inverkeithing, was just nine years old when he was watching the last home games back in 2014 and never believed he would get the opportunity to compete in front of a Scottish crowd just 12 years later.
After being announced in the Team Scotland roster, Davidson says it feels “fantastic”.
He said “It feels great, getting to compete for Scotland at a home games is just fantastic.
“Originally, it was going to be Australia, so then for it to come back Glasgow, for someone like myself who thought I’d never get to compete at a home games is fantastic, and for it to be my first Commonwealth Games, to have a home crowd behind us, it will be fantastic.
STV News“I have dreamed of it, so for it to be a reality now is quite fantastic.
“I would like a medal, so we’ll see if that happens, but my goal is to just enjoy it.”
Davidson’s selection was unveiled at Dynamic Earth, in Edinburgh, as part of All In – Glasgow 2026’s nationwide campaign calling on the nation to join the Commonwealth Games celebration. Dynamic Earth will go All in for Glasgow 2026 by delivering a summer-long programme of family-friendly activities that connects young people and visitors to the excitement of the Commonwealth Games.
He spoke of his pride on being selected and being coached by renowned para powerlifting coach Neil Crosbie, who guided double amputee Micky Yule to Commonwealth Silver at Birmingham 2022.
He said; “It’s the only time you get to pull on the Scotland vest and represent your home nation, and I never thought I’d get the chance to do it at a home Games. When Glasgow stepped in to take on 2026, I knew I had to be there – I think a lot of Team Scotland athletes will feel the same.
“Competing for the first medal for Team Scotland will be one of the proudest moments of my life. I’ll be putting everything into performing to the best of my ability for the home support.
“I’m immensely proud that a Games in Scotland is leading by example with the biggest Para sport programme in Commonwealth Games history. Putting para and non-Para athletes side by side is so important – in sport and beyond. This is going to be one of the most special Commonwealth Games ever and I’m so excited to be part of it.”
Glasgow 2026 will also be a pivotal moment for para sports, with all competitions held at the same time rather than two separate events.
And Davidson welcomed the move.
He said “It’s definitely good for para sports to be part of the main event, it’s quite cool for it all to be in as one.”
He added: “Glasgow 2026 is Scotland’s Games and we want the whole nation to get behind us. At a grassroots level, getting people involved is massive, and All In will help get more people into sport, open up new opportunities, and get the whole nation to feel part of this fantastic event in our home country.”
Elinor Middlemiss MBE, Team Scotland Chef de Mission, said: “Finlay’s selection is a fantastic moment for Team Scotland and for Para Powerlifting in this country. In a short space of time he has shown the talent, commitment and resilience needed to compete on the world stage, and Glasgow 2026 gives him the perfect platform to do that in front of a home crowd.
“To have a Scottish Para athlete lifting for the first medal of the Games is hugely symbolic. It underlines the importance of Para sport to Glasgow 2026 and the Commonwealth movement, and sends a powerful message to young disabled people across Scotland that there is a pathway for them in high-performance sport.
“With the support of Scottish fans and the energy All In is creating across the country, we believe Finlay and the rest of Team Scotland can deliver something very special this summer.”
Suzie Holligan, Visitor Services and Event Director at Dynamic Earth, said: “Dynamic Earth is all about bringing big global stories to life in ways that feel close, hands-on and inspiring – and Glasgow 2026 is one of the biggest stories Scotland will tell this decade.
“Going All In means we’ll be using our spaces, our education programmes and our creativity to help families, schools and visitors feel part of the Games. It’s a privilege to go All In and welcome Team Scotland to Dynamic Earth at such an exciting moment on the road to the Games.”
Dynamic Earth joins hundreds of organisations across Scotland going All In for Glasgow 2026, including Paisley Alive, Jambo! Radio, Glasgow Barrowland, LEAP Sports Scotland, Glasgow Taxis and more in creating their own locally-led activity to build excitement and pride ahead of the Games.
All In is the national call to action for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games – a Scotland-wide movement inviting communities, schools, sports clubs, cultural and voluntary organisations and businesses to celebrate the Games in their own altogether brilliant way.
Reaching from the Highlands to the Lowlands and every glen, town and shore in between, All In gives people the tools to create inclusive, locally led activities and events that build excitement, pride and connection ahead of an unforgettable summer of sport.
Groups that sign up receive free official branding, ready-to-use digital toolkits and opportunities for nationwide visibility through Glasgow 2026 channels – whether they’re hosting town-hall events, pub watchalongs, decorated shopfronts, family festivals or school sports days.
Featuring 10 sports and a record-breaking Para sport programme from 23 July to 2 August, hundreds of thousands of tickets have already been snapped up for Glasgow 2026. The Games will take place within an eight-mile corridor across Glasgow, creating a festival-style atmosphere at venues including Scotstoun Stadium, the Scottish Event Campus (SEC), the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and Arena, and Tollcross International Swimming Centre.
More than 3,000 athletes are set to compete, supported by more than 3,000 volunteers and fans from across Scotland and beyond.
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