The King's Baton Relay visited the University of the West of Scotland's Ayr campus on Tuesday, as 54 para-athletes and coaches from 15 Commonwealth nations gathered for the final stage of their preparations ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
GAPS Training Camp
The athletes were taking part in a GAPS training camp, hosted by UWS in partnership with Commonwealth Sport, South Ayrshire Council and a network of partners from across the Commonwealth. GAPS (Gather, Adjust, Prepare, Sustain) is a unique partnership programme between Commonwealth Sport and universities across the Commonwealth, designed to strengthen inclusive sport pathways through coach and athlete development.
The programme brings together athletes and coaches from diverse cultures and backgrounds, creating an environment where knowledge is shared, friendships are formed and confidence grows in the lead-up to the Commonwealth Games.
Baton Relay Celebration
A large crowd gathered to watch the King's Baton Relay as it made its way from the Riverside Sports Arena, where the final GAPS camp training was taking place, back to the University's Ayr campus. Neil Crosbie, Scottish Para Powerlifting coach, carried the baton together with three para-athletes: Hellen Kariuki (Kenya), Chris Nunn (Australia), Neville Sinclair (Jamaica). The baton was then passed to UWS's Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor James Miller, as the relay concluded outside the Ayr campus.
Professor James Miller said: "On behalf of our University community, we are absolutely delighted to have welcomed the King's Baton Relay to UWS. It was wonderful to see such a brilliant turnout, with students, staff and members of the local community coming together in a fantastic celebration of the Commonwealth Games and to be part of sporting history. This is a very memorable moment for UWS."
He added: "We're also immensely proud to be working with Commonwealth Sport to deliver the GAPS programme at our Ayr campus. It's a fantastic opportunity not only to support these exceptional para-athletes and coaches as they prepare for Glasgow 2026, but also to demonstrate our commitment to inclusion, widening participation and creating opportunities that transform lives through the power of sport and education."
Impact of GAPS
The impact of GAPS is now being realised on the international stage. At the heart of GAPS is a simple belief: every person with a disability should have the freedom to choose sport—free from stigma, free from barriers and free to realise their potential. At the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, eight GAPS athletes won medals, including Palitha Bandara of Sri Lanka and Hellen Kariuki of Kenya.
Dr Donald Rukare, President of Commonwealth Sport, said: "Watching these athletes and coaches train in Ayr, just days before competing on the biggest stage in Commonwealth sport, was truly inspirational. The GAPS programme creates an environment where athletes and coaches build incredible friendships and trust in just a few days, yet will soon compete against one another in Glasgow. No other programme creates such a unique and world-leading environment for preparing athletes and coaches while strengthening inclusive sport pathways across the Commonwealth."
Local Support
South Ayrshire Council's Policy Lead for Leisure and Community Services, Councillor Chris Cullen, said: "It is a real privilege for South Ayrshire to welcome Para-athletes and coaches from 15 Commonwealth nations to the Riverside Sports Arena as they prepare for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Through the University of the West of Scotland's training camp programme, our facilities will become a hub for world-class athletes whose dedication, resilience and determination are truly inspiring."
He added: "We are incredibly proud that our first-class sporting facilities have been chosen to support competitors from across the Commonwealth on their journey to the Games. Their presence will bring a fantastic atmosphere to South Ayrshire, inspire our local communities and showcase the area as a destination capable of hosting elite international sport. We wish every athlete and coach the very best as they prepare to compete on one of the biggest stages in world sport."
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will run until August 2, with Para sport fully integrated into the competition programme across Para Athletics, Para Swimming, Para Track Cycling, Para Powerlifting, Para Bowls and 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball.
