Kirkcaldy para-athletics star Ben Sandilands eyeing medals after 2026 Commonwealth Games selection
Kirkcaldy-born para-athletics star Ben Sandilands says he’s eyeing a 1500m T20 medal after being picked for his first Commonwealth Games, which are being staged in Glasgow this summer.
Sandilands, 22, champion in the event at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris, is one of eight selections newly announced in Team Scotland’s para-athletics squad in a group which also includes Birmingham 2022 silver medallist Sean Frame and Sandilands’ fellow Commonweath Games debutant Owen Miller, also an ex-Paralympics champion having landed 1500m T20 gold in Tokyo in 2021.
Having announced his arrival on the global stage in 2023, taking the world title at just 19 years old, Sandilands delivered a stellar run in the French capital to break the world record as he took gold on his Paralympic debut.
Talking about his selection for Glasgow 2026, he said: “I’m really excited. It’s my first Commonwealth Games and it’s been something I’ve been dreaming about. I’m excited to compete and want to win a medal, that would be incredible.”
Also making their Team Scotland debuts are Joanna Robertson, in the T54 1500m, and Steven Stone, in the T20 Long Jump.
Robertson said: “It’s such an honour to be able to put on the Scotland vest and represent my home country at the Commonwealth Games.
"Racing for Team Scotland it’s more like home, you’re racing with close friends, those who understand you.
"Even just racing on your home turf gives you that extra boost, it’s fantastic.”
Fresh from racing both Boston and London marathons within a week, silver medallist in the T54 Marathon in Birmingham, Sean Frame steps down in distance to take on the 1500m in Glasgow.
Melanie Woods and Alexander Thomson also return for a second Games. Racing both the 400m and 1500m this time round, Woods will be looking for a medal after a fourth place finish in the T54 1500m in Birmingham, while T38 100m runner Thomson finished seventh four years ago on his Commonwealth Games debut. The Games run from July 23 to August 2.