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28/07/2026 00:00, In Blog / Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games - Latest News /

Team Wales captain Olivia Breen provided a fittingly inspirational performance to win a superb silver medal on the first evening athletics session at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

There were further Welsh successes as 17-year-old Ellie Bowen finished a hugely creditable fifth place in the women’s F57 seated shot put final and Issy Boffey impressively booked her place in the women’s 800m semi-finals.

Reigning champion Breen was in sensational form as she finished second in an extremely close women’s T38 100m final where she battled all the way to the line against Team England rivals Sophie Hahn and Maddie Down

Breen looked relaxed and confident as she took to her blocks in lane six. The 30-year-old, who had celebrated her birthday the day before, enjoyed a good start and was in medal contention throughout the race.

In the final few metres, Breen’s sheer determination appeared to prove decisive as she snatched the silver medal on the line in an incredibly close finish.

Both Breen and England’s Maddie Down stopped the clock in 12.86, which was a season’s best for the Welsh athlete and a personal best for her teenage rival.

But it was Breen who was given the nod after reviewing the photo finish, claiming the belated birthday present of a silver medal behind England’s Sophie Hahn who clinched gold in 12.79.

After the race, Breen looked as delighted as she had done four years previously when winning gold in Birmingham.

The beaming City of Portsmouth athlete immediately raced back down the length of the Scotstoun track to collect a Welsh flag and congratulatory hugs from family and friends.

Breen then climbed into the home straight stand to seek out her coach Aston Moore in the crowd for another hug before setting off on a lap of honour with the Welsh flag flying proudly above her head.

After the race, Breen said:

“I’m really happy just to be back on podium again. I can’t wait to see the Welsh flag going up.

“In the heats I eased off over the last 20 metres because I was saving myself for the final, and I'm just so happy it paid off. It's amazing to do it in Scotland in front of the home crowd.

Breen, who has cerebral palsy, added:

“It's been a really tough few weeks with injuries. I had a concussion after falling over in training - a CP moment where I tripped over my own feet and landed on my face.

“It was really hard to come back from that. This medal means so much to me. It's amazing to be back on the podium. I haven't been on an international podium for three years, and it's been a tough few years with injuries, so I'm really happy to win a medal.”

With the F38 long jump final still to come, Breen is aiming for more precious metal.

“Hopefully I'll get another one on Friday!”

As team-mate Breen was celebrating her silver medal on the track, Bowen (Cardiff Archers) produced a brilliant new personal best of 6.48m to surge into the lead with her third effort of the seated shot put final.

The teenager remained in pole position until Canada’s Christel Robichaud conjured up a PB of her own with 6.69m from her six throws.

Eventually Bowen finished the competition with a fantastic sixth place on her senior debut for Wales. Gold was won by India’s Sharmila with 9.81m

The Welsh youngster said afterwards:

“The experience was just amazing, I don’t think anything can top that. I’m really proud of myself.

“I’ve had an incredible day, an amazing experience. I just loved every minute of it. It meant everything to me. I’m really proud to be Welsh so it’s amazing to represent my country. It’s the best day of my life.”

While Bowen was warming up for her attempts in the shot put, Boffey (Enfield and Haringey) was taking to the track in the second heat of the women’s 800m first round.

Drawn in lane four, the former European Under-23 champion looked relaxed before the gun and eased into her stride around the opening bend, settling herself amongst the leaders down the back straight.

At the bell, Boffey was well placed in second place on the shoulder of home favourite Mena Scatchard, of Scotland.

Boffey led off the final bend only to be overtaken down the home straight by World 800 metre champion Lilian Odira, of Kenya.

However, the Welsh athlete, who clocked 2:01.53, looked happy with the second place finish which guaranteed an automatic place in Wednesday evening’s semi-finals as one of the top three finishers in her heat.

Sportingly, Boffey was the first to congratulate Papua New Guinea athlete Scholastica Herman as she crossed the line in last place – in keeping with the event’s reputation as the Friendly Games.

Asked how she felt the race had gone, Boffey said:

“It went really well. It was slower than I thought it was going to be which I’m happy with. I’ve got a good kick on me so I felt confident. I’m happy and ready for Wednesday.

“I want to be in that top three which should get you an automatic place for the final and hopefully it’ll be quick.”

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