Grace Reid admits she is ‘gutted’ that there will be no diving events at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Diving will not feature for the first time in the 94-year history of the event, missing out on inclusion in the programme chiefly due to a lack of appropriate facilities in Glasgow.
Reid, a two-time Commonwealth champion, couldn’t hide her disappointment at the snub despite sympathising with the dilemma dealt with by organisers.
“The general mood among divers is that we’re gutted,” said Reid, speaking to promote The University of Edinburgh Celebration of Sport event which took place at The Playfair Library on Tuesday evening.
“Some people will never get the opportunity to compete at the Commonwealth Games and it’s super disappointing.
“It’s such a shame we can’t have every sport and I know I’m not alone, so many athletes would love to have the opportunity to still be a part of it. But I understand the concerns about cost and in this day and age, you’ve got to consider it from all angles.”
Reid has a distinguished history with the Commonwealth Games.
She made her debut all the way back in 2010 in Delhi as the youngest member of Team Scotland in any sport, going on to finish fifth on home soil at Glasgow 2014.
Reid became the first Scottish female diver to strike Commonwealth gold with victory on the 1m springboard on the Gold Coast in 2018 before returning to the stage at Birmingham 2022.
“I started my international career with the Commonwealth Games and some of my fondest memories in the sport are from that event,” she said. “It makes it even harder and it’s such a shame.
“I was so young in Delhi and a lot of it did go over my head. When you’re that age, you take everything in your stride and it became a completely different experience as I got older.
“In Birmingham, I was the oldest athlete in the team and I went full circle. I’ve gone through all of these experiences and changes throughout my career that have coincided with the Commonwealth Games. It’s a very special multi-sport event.”
Reid became a three-time Olympian in Paris this summer and after an extended post-Games break, got back into training last week to begin the long road to LA in 2028.
She isn’t concerned that the lack of opportunity to compete at the Commonwealth Games will hamper her motivation in the Olympic cycle.
“It’s always been so great having the Commies halfway between the Olympics,” said Reid. “At the same time, we’re really lucky that there are still loads of other major events.
“In terms of preparation, you set your sights on the pinnacle that is the Olympics and everything else slots around it to help you prepare as best you can.
“Maybe that isn’t the Commonwealth Games this time around, but I’m sure there’s going to be some other stuff that’s going to challenge us in other ways and still be super exciting.”
Grace Reid was speaking to promote The University of Edinburgh Celebration of Sport event which took place at The Playfair Library on Tuesday evening. For more information on University of Edinburgh Sport visit www.uoesport.ed.ac.uk
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