Glasgow hammer thrower Chris Bennett says he is ready for a “perfect ending” as he prepares to bring the curtain down on his career at a home Commonwealth Games. The 36-year-old has been selected to represent Team Scotland for a final time, having made his debut at the competition in Glasgow 12 years ago.
Return from retirement for hometown Games
For a time, it looked like Birmingham 2022 would represent Bennett’s Commonwealth curtain call after he made the decision to retire in 2023. The 2016 Olympian represented Team GB in Rio a decade ago and has also represented Great Britain at the European Championships. Since then, a transformative two seasons away from the circuit have allowed Bennett to refresh his love of the sport and come back ready for the perfect ending in the place where it all started.
“It means everything. I’m Glaswegian before I’m Scottish before I’m British. I’m very proud of this city,” Bennett said. “I don't think I would be back in an athletics arena if it wasn't for Glasgow 2026. I would always be searching for that perfect ending. Sport’s a great thing but it can be a cruel thing at times and people don't get the ending they want. I get the ending I want.”
ADHD diagnosis proves transformative
Those years away also gave Bennett the space to understand himself more, in particular receiving an ADHD diagnosis that has proved transformative for the Olympian. Not only has it provided recourse to medication that has helped him manage the symptoms in life and sport, but it has also given him an invaluable insight into his own habits and, at times, difficulties.
“It’s been life-changing for me to understand myself a hell of a lot more, whether that be in the work, personal life, relationships or sport,” he reflected. “I've always struggled with my mental health. I thought it was anxiety or depression but it turns out it's been undiagnosed ADHD for 34 years. I am medicated now, and it makes a massive difference to me in just not procrastinating and being a lot more emotionally balanced.”
Weight loss and renewed focus
With renewed focus, understanding and self-forgiveness, Bennett has charted a turnaround from retirement to make the Games this summer. Having weighed 164kg when he made the decision to return, he has since lost 37kg on the road back to fitness.
“The biggest challenge was getting there, and it was the biggest stress. I was overweight, didn't know if I could do it anymore but I always knew I wanted to do Glasgow,” he said. “The previous three Games I've always been like, ‘Oh I'm going to win a medal.’ Medals and achievements in sport are tomorrow's chip shop wrappers, but if I change the way you look at me or I change your perception of someone who's got ADHD or is neurodiverse, that's a bigger legacy for me than anything we can do medal-wise.”
Family and community support
Bennett also highlighted the role of his mother in his return. “My mum's got to be part of my return so it's huge for me. It's a really full circle moment because my mum used to take me to training when I was 12 years old, and she still comes to training with me now at the age of 72 when I need some company.”
He added: “It’s allowed me to reconnect with people that I've met over the last two years who knew I did athletics but had never seen me do athletics. I don't think they ever understood what athletics meant to me and what it's given me.”
Looking ahead
“This year I get to retire in Glasgow. That for me is everything. I've already won. I get the perfect ending,” Bennett concluded.
