Olyslagers among first Aussies selected for Commonwealth Games

A critical milestone for the Australian Team bound for Glasgow 2026 has been met, with the first athletes in green and gold selected after standout performances at the Australian Athletics Championships in Sydney

Commonwealth and Olympic champion Nina Kennedy OAM (pole vault) headlines the initial selections alongside sprinter Lachlan Kennedy (100m) who surged to a personal best 9.96 seconds to secure a Commonwealth Games qualifying standard and reaffirm his emergence as one of Australia’s fastest‑rising talents.

They are joined by Birmingham 2022 silver medallist Peter Bol (800m) and rising star Cameron Myers (one mile), who is set to make his Commonwealth Games debut, as the group leads a strong cohort of athletes who excelled across four days of competition to earn early nomination to the Australian Team.

Nina Kennedy OAM said she was honoured to once again represent Australia on the Commonwealth stage.

“It’s always a privilege to wear the green and gold, and to be selected for Glasgow means a lot,” Kennedy said. “The Commonwealth Games are incredibly special, and I’m excited for the opportunity to compete again and build towards something really strong with this team.”

After delivering one of the standout performances of the championships, Lachlan Kennedy said representing Australia at the Commonwealth Games would be an honour.

“It’s always an honour to represent your country, especially at a prestigious event like the Commonwealth Games, so if I was able to win a gold and run a good time, it’d be the ultimate privilege,” Kennedy said.

“I think I can win the whole thing… I’m confident and I know I can go faster.

“I’m confident I can win and I plan on winning the whole thing.”

Other selections include Olympic medallist and New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holder Nicola Olyslagers (high jump), whose continued consistency on the world stage reinforces Australian strength in the field and positions her as a leading medal contender in Glasgow.

Joining her is Claudia Hollingsworth (one mile), who secured her place for Glasgow after claiming the Australian 1500m title in dramatic fashion. Her performance asserted her status as one of the country’s leading middle-distance talents and positions her strongly ahead of her Commonwealth Games debut.

Abbey Caldwell (800m) will join her in Glasgow after claiming the national title with a composed performance, confirming her place among Australia’s leading middle-distance runners.

Reece Holder (400m) also earned selection after claiming his first national title in Sydney, with his breakthrough performance highlighting his progression and marking him as an exciting prospect ahead of Glasgow.

Australian Team Chef de Mission Petria Thomas OAM OLY said the announcement marks the first step towards Glasgow.

“These athletes represent the first selections on the road to Glasgow 2026, and their performances in Sydney highlight the strength and depth we’re building across the team,” Thomas said.

“It’s an exciting start to our campaign, and this group provides real momentum as we continue to shape the team in the lead‑up to the Games.”

Australian Athletics CEO Simon Hollingsworth said the group represents both the strength of the program and the exciting pathway of athletics talent across Australia.

“This first selection of athletes represents the strength and momentum of track and field in Australia,” Hollingsworth said.

“Every athlete selected has demonstrated world-class commitment, and we’re thrilled to see them earn the opportunity to compete on one of the sport’s biggest stages in Glasgow.”

This initial group of athletes marks the first step in assembling a strong and competitive Australian Athletics team for Glasgow, with Commonwealth Games Australia and Australian Athletics to confirm the final team in June following the conclusion of the qualification period.

AUSTRALIAN ATHLETICS TEAM – GLASGOW 2026 COMMONWEALTH GAMES

Name	Event	Age	State	Commonwealth Games
Liam Adcock	Long Jump	29	NSW	Debut
Isaac Beacroft	10,000m Race Walk	19	NSW	Debut
Peter Bol	800m	32	VIC	Birmingham 2022 – silver medallist
Abbey Caldwell	800m	24	VIC	Birmingham 2022 – bronze medallist
Reece Holder	400m	23	QLD	Debut
Claudia Hollingsworth	One Mile	21	VIC	Debut
Lachlan Kennedy	100m	22	QLD	Debut
Nina Kennedy OAM	Pole Vault	29	WA	Birmingham 2022 – gold medallist; Gold Coast 2018 – bronze medallist
Elizabeth McMillen	10,000m Race Walk	22	NSW	Debut
Cameron Myers	One Mile	19	ACT	Debut
Nicola Olyslagers	High Jump	29	NSW	Gold Coast 2018 – bronze medallist; Birmingham 2022

Athletics has been held at every Commonwealth Games since they were first held in 1930. Para Athletics were added to the program at the Victoria 1994 Commonwealth Games, then returning at the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Glasgow 2026 will see the return of the ‘Commonwealth Mile’ to a major championship athletics program. Its unique history, spectacular performances, and iconic races have made it one of the most revered events in athletics and a symbol of athletic excellence.

Australian sporting legends Marjorie Jackson-Nelson AC CVO MBE and Raelene Boyle AM MBE are the most successful Australian athletes at the Games, each winning seven gold medals.

Commonwealth Games Australia