# Confirmed: track cycling will be part of Commonwealth Games programme

*By Simon | October 22, 2024*

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![GagHvqqXwAAwvTA](https://globalkeirin.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/GagHvqqXwAAwvTA.jpg)

## 󠀁[Confirmed: track cycling will be part of Commonwealth Games programme](https://globalkeirin.com/2024/10/confirmed-track-cycling-will-feature-as-glasgow-hosts-commonwealth-games/)󠁿

22 October 2024

Track cycling has been
[confirmed](https://www.glasgow2026.com/sports/cycling-track) as one of the 10
sports included in a slimmed-down Commonwealth Games, to be hosted in Glasgow
from July 23 to August 2.

The Scottish city stepped in when the Australian state of Victoria withdrew its
hosting offer, citing escalating costs. Interest from Malaysia and Singapore
came to nothing. That left Glasgow as the only realistic option on the table –
although, or perhaps _because_, it had hosted the event just 12 years earlier.

‘The 2026 Games will be a bridge to the Commonwealth Games of tomorrow,’
[according to](https://www.glasgow2026.com/news/4153255/glasgow-confirmed-as-2026-commonwealth-games-hosts)
federation chief Katie Sadleir: ‘an exciting first step in our journey to reset
and redefine the Games as a truly collaborative, flexible and sustainable model
for the future that minimises costs, reduces the environmental footprint, and
enhances social impact – in doing so increasing the scope of countries capable
of hosting.’

![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/JDAN10kBn60/maxresdefault.jpg)

In practice, that has meant a reduction in the number of sports to
[just 10](https://www.glasgow2026.com/news/4152372/glasgow-2026-sport-programme)
, down from 15-20 in recent instances; and a reliance on existing and
self-contained infrastructure.

With Glasgow already boasting a world-class velodrome – built for the 2014
Games, and used to host the UCI world championships just last year – there
seemed little doubt that track cycling would make the cut.

It also did the sport’s chances no harm that track cycling is a sport where
Scottish athletes stand excellent chances of success. Stars of the elite GB
programme like Jack Carlin, Katie Archibald, Neah Evans and Neil Fachie would
all be serious contenders for medals.

There is also a very strong cohort of up-and-coming riders based at the Glasgow
track, for whom the Commonwealth Games could be a stepping-stone to success at
the very highest level.

### Opportunities

![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/o7kVdSqGGfE/maxresdefault.jpg)

_Plenty of Team GB skinsuits in evidence at DerbyWheel’s Manchester induction #_

Why so much interest in the Commonwealth Games here at _Global Keirin_? Because
so many of the riders who have signed up for DerbyWheel’s proposed keirin league
come from Commonwealth nations.

_Global Keirin_ understands that around half of the riders who participated in
the Melbourne and Manchester induction sessions came from Australia and the UK
respectively.

Most of them were from outside the respective national Olympic programmes:
meaning, the Commonwealth Games might be their most realistic chance of
international representative competition.

That’s partly because federations often send younger or second-string athletes
to the Commies; but also because of the greater number of places available,
especially to athletes with links to the United Kingdom.

![2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games - Day 4 - Track Cycling](https://globalkeirin.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/sw27_Comms_Cycling.jpg)

_Normally GB pursuit team-mates, but rivals at the 2014 Games (Alex Broadway/SWpix.com)_

Rather than competing as Great Britain, there are separate teams for England,
Scotland and Wales – not to mention the likes of the Isle of Man and Jersey,
both of whom were represented in the velodrome last time.

Additionally, athletes who would normally compete in the green of Ireland may be
eligible to ride as Northern Ireland, by birth or via other family connections.

There are opportunities for riders from, or with connections to African and
Caribbean nations, who would not typically make the cut for Olympics or world
championships.

Among the 19 nations on track at the 2022 Games were riders from Antigua &
Barbuda, Barbados, Ghana, Grenada, Kenya and the Seychelles – not to mention a
large team from India, not often present at world level.

And of course, with the likes of the Netherlands and Japan not eligible, it may
be some riders’ best ever chance to bring home a career-defining medal.

### Childhood dream

With no reported progress in relations between DerbyWheel and the UCI, riders
have been warned they may have to choose between UCI competition, with the
chance to represent their country; and the prospect of a lucrative professional
career with the Korean start-up.

So the hope of a Commonwealth Games opportunity, less than two years away, may
complicate things for some riders. For many, it has been a childhood dream to
wear their nation’s colours on the world stage. Will they be prepared to give
that up?

**Categories:** Original
**Tags:** glasgow2026