Injury Blow As Johnson-Thompson, Asher-Smith Out Of Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Team England have suffered a major setback ahead of the athletics programme at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games after several of their biggest stars withdrew through injury.

World and Olympic medallist Katarina Johnson-Thompson headlines the absentees after pulling out of the women’s heptathlon, while sprint star Dina Asher-Smith, Olympic 400m silver medallist Matt Hudson-Smith, Daryll Neita and Amber Anning have also withdrawn from England’s squad.

Johnson-Thompson, 33, was aiming to win a third successive Commonwealth heptathlon title after claiming gold on the Gold Coast in 2018 and Birmingham in 2022. Team England confirmed only that she had suffered an injury, with Niamh Emerson drafted in as her replacement.

The withdrawals represent a significant blow on the day of the Games’ opening ceremony, although organisers insist the competition will still showcase world-class talent.

England have added Renee Regis, Ebuka Nwokeji, Tara Simpson-Sullivan and Tom Keen to their athletics squad before track and field events begin on Monday.

The Games had already lost Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson, who opted to focus on next month’s European Championships in Birmingham. Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred and Canadian swimming sensation Summer McIntosh have also chosen alternative competitions.

Despite concerns over the absence of several global stars, organisers remain optimistic that Glasgow 2026 will provide emerging athletes with an opportunity to shine.

Attention will now turn to Scotland’s leading medal hopes, including world mile record holder Josh Kerr and defending Commonwealth 10,000m champion Eilish McColgan, as competition gets underway.