Team UoB Claims 13 Medals at Glasgow 2026
We are incredibly proud of our current students, scholars and alumni who represented themselves, the University and their countries so brilliantly at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Together, they brought home an incredible 13 medals, with notable success across athletics, swimming, cycling and judo.
From individual triumphs to relay and team performances, the Games highlighted the sheer talent, dedication and determination of our students and alumni on the international stage
Athletics Succcess
Geography graduate and Paris 2024 Olympic 1500m silver medallist Georgia Hunter-Bell delivered a standout performance at the Games to win Gold in the Women’s 800m, proving her versatility once again and adding ‘Commonwealth Champion’ to an already impressive list of titles. Fellow graduate Issy Boffey closed quickly behind Georgia to place fifth.
Current Human Sciences student and UoB Sport EDCAP Elite scholar Jake Minshull also enjoyed a hugely successful Commonwealth Games debut, winning Silver in the 400m Hurdles. Jake continues to establish himself on the international stage in what is turning out to be a breakthrough season.
Also enjoying a breakthrough season and fresh from being crowned NCAA Champion in June, University of Birmingham alumnus Kimani Jack contributed to the athletics medal haul by claiming the Bronze medal in the Men’s High Jump.
A notable mention must be made for incoming student-athlete Maddie Down, who claimed a Bronze medal in the T38 100m. We are seriously looking forward to Maddie joining our Athletics and EDCAP programmes in September!
Five Silvers for Ollie Morgan!
Ollie Morgan, who graduated last year in Sport, Physical Education and Coaching Science, produced exceptional performances across a number of days to win an incredible five Silver medals.
His medal haul came across both individual and relay events, with Silver medals in the 50m Backstroke, 100m Backstroke and 200m Backstroke, as well as the 4x100m Freestyle Relay and 4x100m Medley Relay.
Five medals at his debut Commonwealth Games marks an extraordinary achievement and is a worthy reflection of Ollie’s continued dedication and talent.
Judo success
All five of the University’s current Judo Scholars made their Commonwealth Games’ debuts, with three of them reaching the podium.
Charlie Ayre (England) and Summer Shaw (Scotland) won Bronze medals in the –60kg and –48kg categories respectively, while Benjamin Levy claimed Silver for England in the –73kg category.
Cycling Bronze
Finally, there was also success in the velodrome as alumna Ciara Oliva helped Team Wales secure a Bronze medal in the Women’s Team Pursuit!
Ciara retired from the sport in 2018 with a wealth of experience and achievement behind her, including World and European Championship medals. She has represented Wales twice at the Commonwealth Games and was also part of Team GB at the 2016 Olympics. Glasgow 2026 marks a monumental comeback for the now mother of three and has worked tirelessly to get back to her medal-winning ways.
A games to remember
Eight of our nine Team UoB medallists made their Commonwealth debuts in Glasgow. Huge congratulations to Georgia Hunter-Bell, Jake Minshull, Kimani Jack, Maddie Down, Ollie Morgan, Charlie Ayre, Summer Shaw, Benjamin Levy and Ciara Oliva on their outstanding performances.
A further congratulations goes to all students, staff and alumni who were a part of the magic of the Glasgow Games 2026  – we are so proud of you!
