The 2026 Commonwealth Games are set to kick off in Glasgow this week, from July 23 to August 2. Thousands of athletes from around the world will compete. Scotland has hosted the Games three times before: Edinburgh in 1970 and 1986, and Glasgow in 2014. The most controversial was the 1986 Games.
Mass Boycott Over Apartheid
Held from July 24 to August 2, the 1986 Commonwealth Games saw just 27 of 59 eligible countries take part, earning the nickname 'the Boycott Games'. 32 countries boycotted due to the Thatcher government's policy of maintaining sporting links with apartheid South Africa. Most protesting nations were African, Asian, and Caribbean.
According to the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, the Games occurred amid global condemnation of South Africa's apartheid system—institutionalised racial segregation enforced by the white minority government.
Gleneagles Agreement and Tensions
Almost a decade earlier, the 1977 Gleneagles Agreement saw Commonwealth heads of government commit to an international sports boycott against South Africa. In 1985, the Commonwealth imposed economic sanctions, but Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher fiercely opposed them.
Tensions escalated weeks before the Games when England planned to include athletes born in South Africa. Many countries saw this as provocation, and over half officially dropped out.
Financial Strain and Robert Maxwell
With reduced participation, broadcasting and sponsorship revenues declined sharply. Media tycoon Robert Maxwell took over as chairman of the Games committee, declaring himself the 'saviour'. He pledged £2 million but actually contributed around £250,000, according to the International Business Times. The Games opened with a £3 million deficit, later growing to £4.3 million.
Opening Ceremony and Scottish Success
The opening ceremony on July 24 centred on the 'Spirit of Youth' theme, featuring over 6,000 children performing gymnastics and running down the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle.
The Scottish team won 33 medals across 10 sports, with 37 athletes. Billy Gilliland from Greenock won Scotland's first ever gold in badminton, and Liz Lynch from Dundee took gold in the women's 10,000 metres.
More information is available on the Institute of Commonwealth Studies website.
