Johanna Griggs and Matt Shirvington on why the Glasgow event is a crucial stepping stone for athletes
This year’s Commonwealth Games will look a little different. Following Victoria’s withdrawal from hosting the event in 2023, Glasgow hosted the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022 in what will be a modernized version of the Games, with 10 sports planned instead of 19.
Former competitive swimmer Johanna Griggs, who is part of the home team covering Seven’s event, thinks that despite the changes, the sporting community is hugely relieved that the Games are going ahead, even in a scaled-down version.
“Honestly, I think they are very happy to receive this product,” Griggs says. “Everyone was a bit shocked when Melbourne announced they were going. I think there’s a lot of people wondering if that would be the death knell for the Commonwealth Games and it was a huge relief – obviously the sports missed would be completely and utterly devastated – but I think we looked at it as ‘Hey, the Games are on’.”
The Glasgow Games will kick off at 4.45am on July 24 with an opening ceremony where more than 3,000 athletes from 74 countries and territories will compete. Griggs, who won a bronze medal in the 100-meter backstroke at the competition held in Auckland in 1990, has great interest in the Games.
“They have a really important place in the sport,” Griggs says. “So my swimming career began. I had just turned 16 when I went to the Contact Games and won a medal there, the following year I won a medal at the world championships and never made it to the Olympics. So of course it has a special place in my heart because it was one of the most extraordinary memories.”
According to Glasgow Games host and former sprinter Matt Shirvington, this competition plays a very important role, especially for promising athletes.
“I love the Commonwealth Games,” says Shirvington, who competed in the 1998 and 2006 Games. “This is the most important step for any successful young athlete. It’s almost like going to university for elite sport, it really teaches you a lot. Wearing the green and gold is a proud moment, especially at the Commonwealth Games, when you think about the people who have gone before you. All the best Australian athletes – Ian Thorpe, Cathy Freeman – all these iconic names have made their way at the Commonwealth Games.”
Now co-hosted by Shirvington SunriseHe is also very positive about Australia’s chances at the next Games after winning in 2022 with 180 medals, followed by England with 176 medals.
“Yes, we will reach the top again,” says Shirvington. “There are 200 gold medals to be won in these Games and we will be first in the medal table by far. I think most of these medals will come in both athletics and swimming.” [But] “It will be a really competitive competition across the board.”
Griggs and Shirvington are candid when asked if they think it will be a golden match for today’s athletes.
“I don’t think so,” Griggs said with a laugh. “Look at that Australian team, how different they are physically. It’s really remarkable to watch how smart the sport has become and how smart they are in their training.”
Shirvington adds: “No, they’re definitely flying. The current Australian sprinters are absolutely the best we’ve ever seen. Obviously they haven’t broken Patrick Johnson’s national record yet.” [but] I think this will go away. “We have great athletes and they are pushing each other to get faster and faster.”
As swimming and athletics mark a golden era for Australian athletes, Griggs and Shirvington hope spectators will cheer on competitors in all disciplines.
“Australian sport has never been in a better position,” says Shirvington. “Some of our youngest and brightest stars are taking part in the Commonwealth Games, let’s get behind them.”
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will be broadcast on Seven and 7Plus from 24 July to 3 August.
