Marshall and Adlington named as Team Scotland Flagbearers for Glasgow 2026
Bowls star Alex Marshall MBE and judo champion Sarah Adlington will carry the Saltire and Scotland’s King’s Baton into the OVO Hydro as part of the Glasgow 2026 Opening Ceremony celebrations.
Team Scotland has revealed its two flagbearers for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony, which takes place at the OVO Hydro on Thursday 23 July.
Team Scotland’s most successful athlete of all time, Alex Marshall MBE, and the first judoka to win two Commonwealth Games gold medals, Sarah Adlington, have been selected for the honour by their Team Scotland peers.
The pair will carry the Saltire and Scotland’s King’s Baton into the iconic venue in front of a home crowd.
Glasgow 2026 will be Marshall’s eighth Commonwealth Games, equalling fellow bowler Willie Wood’s record for the most Games appearances.
Marshall first competed at Victoria 1994 and has won five gold, one silver and one bronze medal across his previous seven appearances, placing him at the top of Scotland’s all-time Commonwealth Games medal table.
His first gold medal came alongside George Sneddon in the Men’s Pairs at Manchester 2002. Among his other memorable achievements was winning two gold medals in the Pairs and Fours at Glasgow 2014.
Alex Marshall said: “I’ve been fortunate enough to experience some incredible moments representing Team Scotland over the years, but leading the team into a home Commonwealth Games will rank right alongside the very best of them.
“Walking into the Hydro carrying the Saltire, with the support of a Scottish crowd behind us and my family watching on, will be a truly special occasion.
“It will be an absolute privilege to lead this team out with Sarah, and I know every single one of us will give everything to bring success home for Team Scotland.”
Adlington contributed to Team Scotland’s record medal haul at Glasgow 2014, when Scotland’s judoka won an incredible 13 medals from 14 athletes: six gold, two silver and five bronze.
She returned for judo’s next Commonwealth Games appearance at Birmingham 2022, winning another gold medal and becoming the first judoka to claim two Commonwealth titles. She will now aim for an unprecedented third gold medal at what will be her final Games.
Sarah Adlington said: “I’m incredibly honoured to have been chosen as one of Team Scotland’s flagbearers alongside Alex.
“Representing Scotland has always meant so much to me, so to have the opportunity to lead this team into a home Commonwealth Games is a real privilege that I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.
“I’m really excited to lead the team into the Hydro tomorrow night and can’t wait to experience the atmosphere alongside my teammates ahead of what promises to be a very special Games.”
Team Scotland Chef de Mission Elinor Middlemiss MBE said: “We are incredibly proud to have selected Alex and Sarah to lead Team Scotland into the Hydro.
“Both have made an outstanding contribution to Scottish sport over many years, and being chosen for a home Games makes it even more special. I wish them, and their fellow athletes, every success when competing in Glasgow.”
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