Two of Scotland’s most decorated Para Track Cyclists are set to represent their home nation on home soil this summer.

Both Paralympic and World Champions, Fin Graham MBE and Neil Fachie OBE, have today been confirmed as the first Para Track Cyclists selected for Team Scotland.

For Graham, it will mark a long-awaited Commonwealth Games debut. For Fachie, he returns as the second most successful Commonwealth Games athlete in Team Scotland’s history.

A dream realised for Graham

Reflecting on what selection means, Fin shares:

“It’s something that I never really thought could happen. When I started my Para cycling journey, my event wasn’t actually included in the Commonwealth Games. For that now to be the case, and for it to be in Scotland, is a dream come true. To get this opportunity to represent Scotland is just amazing.”

Having become Paralympic and World champion in the Team GB kit, Graham will now have the chance to pull on the blue and white in front of a home crowd for the very first time at a Commonwealth Games.

“The thought of potentially hearing Flower of Scotland on the podium is kind of driving me massively,” he told us. “To race with the saltire on your back in front of a home crowd is something that every athlete dreams of.”

Speaking on his memories of previous Games, Finlay recalls watching the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games as a youngster.

“Back then, I was still competing in mountain biking and hadn’t actually started my Para cycling journey. I remember going to the Mountain Biking event at Cathkin Braes and then sitting on a pavement all day watching the road race time trial too. The atmosphere around Glasgow was unbelievable, so to now be on the other side of that is definitely a big pinch-me moment.”

Glasgow 2026 will host the biggest Para sport programme in Commonwealth Games history, underlining the event’s commitment to fully integrated competition.

Fin experienced the power of that integration at the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, where Para cycling featured on the main programme.

“It was an amazing opportunity for us as Para cyclists to show the world what we can do,” he said.

“Having the same at the Commies is going to be so good.”

A fitting finale for Fachie

While Glasgow 2026 will be a first for Graham, it is familiar territory for Fachie.

After claiming double gold at his debut Games in 2014, Fachie has won a total of 6 gold medals across Glasgow 2014, Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022, as well as a silver medal in 2022. His medal haul across four Games places him among Scotland’s most consistent performers on the international stage.

Reflecting on his latest selection, he said: “I’m delighted. It’s slightly unexpected in a way because I hadn’t really decided if I’d go for this or if I was calling it a day on my cycling career.

“I don’t think it will come as a surprise that this is probably my last event. So, I’m very excited that it’s going to be at home in Glasgow. What better place to do it?”

Since his debut over a decade ago, Fachie’s life away from the track has changed significantly. He became a father just months after the Birmingham 2022 Games and says that new role has reshaped his perspective heading into 2026.

“This time around definitely feels very different,” he said. “Being frank, my priorities are very different. I’m coming into this as a dad now, so my focus is very much family first. It also means that when I race in Glasgow, my son is going to be there, and that motivation is immense.

“He’s very aware, even at just three, of what’s going on, and that means he won’t forget now. So, if I look silly in front of him, he’ll be reminding me for the next however many years. So that’s pretty strong motivation to put on a show for him and the rest of the crowd.”

Source: CGF