Coomonwealth Games: Lucy Hadaway and Alex Botterill retain high hopes for golden closure in Glasgow

The York long jumper, 26, missed the Games four years ago with injury but made a successful start here in Glasgow, progressing to the final after finishing second in her qualification round.

Hadaway jumped a distance of 6.77m to finish behind English compatriot Jazmin Sawyers and book her place in Saturday night’s showpiece.

The City of York Athletics Club star is no stranger to the Commonwealth stage, having won a bronze medal at the youth equivalent in Nassau back in 2017.

And she is hoping to emulate those exploits as she bids to ‘jump big’ on a speedy Scotstoun track.

“I’m happy to be here, get the first jump sorted and to be able to come back for the final,” said Hadaway.

“It’s nice to be here – I missed Birmingham through injury so to be here injury-free, touch wood, is great and I’m really looking forward to it.

“I love it (representing England) – I haven’t done it for a good few years due to various issues and illnesses, so it’s great to come back for my proper first year competing and to put the England vest on.

“I can jump big – it’s a fast track and I’m looking forward to the final.”

Alex Botterill believes pinpoint positioning propelled him into the 800m final – as team-mate Max Burgin failed to qualify.

York star Botterill, 26, advanced thanks to a polished performance in Glasgow, although Burgin’s failure to join him in tonight’s final was a shock, the Halifax runner finishing fifth in his semi-final at Scotstoun.

Botterill had finished third in his race with a time of 1:45.39 to safely book his place but Burgin faded in the closing stages to scrape home in a time of 1:45.61.

Burgin was a finalist in the World Championships in Tokyo last year but was unable to emulate those exploits here, taking a tumble on the finish line in a dramatic finish.

But it was job done for Botterill, a gold medallist in the Commonwealth Youth Games in Nassau back in 2017.

He relished being back on the big stage and says perfectly-executed tactics fired him into the final.

“It was great – it’s what we planned and what we wanted,” said Botterill.

“This is my first major since I was a youth nine years ago, so I just wanted to make it as easy as possible through the rounds and put myself in a position to qualify for the final.

“I held on nicely – there are some really good guys there, and a few of them will miss have missed out, so I’ve got to be pleased with myself. I have put the work in.

“It was definitely close, but what separated me and the athletes behind me was positioning – which is massive in this sport, especially when it’s not too quick.

“I had the march going into the home straight and held the inside line.”

Scott Lincoln believes he is finally starting to dine at the top of the shot put table after a battling Commonwealth bronze in Glasgow.

The 33-year-old, from Northallerton, followed up his Birmingham bronze with the same colour medal here at Scoutstoun.

Lincoln, a 10-time national British champion, finished just eight centimetres off Nigerian gold medallist Chukwuebuka Enekwechi as New Zealand star Tom Walsh claimed silver.

The North Yorkshire star claimed an impressive eighth-place finish at the World Championships in Tokyo last year and insists he is on the right track after a rock-solid performance in Scotland.

“I already had a bronze medal from Birmingham – I was so close to the silver and so close to the gold today,” he said. “But that’s elite sport, professional sport and the way it goes.

“I actually thought I pipped him in the last round, but it wasn’t to be this time. I feel like I’m starting to cement my name in the top of the elite group now – hopefully I’ll cement my name there.

“It’s awesome to get another medal and hopefully I can go from there.”

Having spent his early athletics career at City of York, Lincoln is now based in Australia where he is able to train full-time.

He was voted in as captain of the England athletics team here in Glasgow and admits he is relishing that role.

And he also hailed the support he receives more broadly after a Commonwealth experience to savour.

“I love the Commonwealth stage,” he added. “It’s awesome and probably one of the best championships I’ve been to recently.

“I’ve been really well looked after from when I got off the train to right now, so I’m really grateful.

“I’d like to thank The National Lottery – honestly, without them, we wouldn’t have championships like this, teams like we do or prep camps.”

Thanks to National Lottery players, more than £33m is raised every week for good causes. It’s because of you that sport, arts, heritage and community projects, as well as our athletes competing at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, are supported across the UK.