Dame Denise Lewis has described a potential showdown between Josh Kerr and Jake Wightman at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as 'the stuff of dreams'. The two Scottish athletes, both world champions over 1500m, are set to compete for gold in the Commonwealth Mile, with Lewis expecting a thrilling contest.
Kerr, the 2023 world champion, is targeting a mile world record at the London Diamond League ahead of the Games, despite suffering a calf tear at last year's World Championships. Wightman, who won silver in Tokyo, is also aiming to add a Commonwealth title to his 2022 world gold.
Lewis, a two-time Commonwealth gold medallist, said: 'If those two arrive healthy, in the same event, sparks will fly. It could be spine-tingling down the home straight.' She urged fans to secure tickets for what she described as a 'mouth-watering prospect'.
The former Commonwealth Games England president also praised Glasgow for stepping in to host the 2026 event after Victoria, Australia, withdrew. She highlighted the importance of the Games for athletes' careers and welcomed the inclusion of the largest para sport medal tally in history, with para powerlifting as the first medal event.
Lewis also emphasised the significance of the King's Baton Relay, which runs from May 26-31, as a symbol of connectivity across the Commonwealth. The relay, supported by Team England's partner Geely, builds anticipation for the Games.
