Two-time Commonwealth gold-medallist Lewis is expecting fireworks between the rapid Scots on home soil
A showdown between home favourites Josh Kerr and Jake Wightman at Glasgow 2026 would be ‘the stuff of dreams’, according to Dame Denise Lewis.
The Scots, who are both world champions over 1500m, will face off for gold when the Commonwealth Mile race returns to the schedule.
For both, it appears a last realistic chance at adding a Commonwealth Games title to their respective illustrious medal collections. Wightman claimed a stunning 1500m silver at last year’s World Athletics Championships in Tokyo – being pipped to gold by two-hundredths of a second by Portugal’s Isaac Nader – to reannounce himself on the global stage after an injury-ravaged spell post his 2022 triumph.
Two-time Olympic medallist and 2023 world champion Kerr sustained a grade two calf tear during the final in the Japanese capital but the 28-year-old is targeting a mile world record at the London Diamond League, two weeks before he goes for Commonwealth gold on home soil. And the prospect of watching both Kerr and Wightman fight it out is something Lewis cannot wait for.
“If those two arrive healthy, in the same event, sparks will fly,” said the two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist. The difficulty for the neutral is, who do you go for? We adore both. They’re both world champions and everyone totally adores them. It’s the stuff of dreams.
“It could be spine-tingling down the home straight. So, if you haven’t got your tickets, get them, because there are going to be some great matchups and head-to-heads, and Kerr against Wightman is a mouth-watering prospect.”
Lewis was president of Commonwealth Games England, a role now filled by Dame Laura Kenny, when the future of the event was thrown into serious doubt. The Australian state of Victoria was originally meant to stage the Games but pulled out of hosting duties in July 2023 due to financial worries.
Scotland’s largest city, which also hosted the Games in 2014, stepped in and Lewis feels the significance of them doing so cannot be overstated.
“It was a massive call from Glasgow, and at really short notice too,” she said. “I was still president of Commonwealth Games England, and all the Commonwealth nations were almost on pause because we didn’t know what was going to happen. There was such uncertainty.
“It was not just about the host, it was very much about the athletes trying to build their careers, having moments to shine and showcase their sport, and potentially not having that opportunity. So, it is a big deal. I’m sure the athletes are very grateful. I’m just glad it’s going ahead, and hopefully we can now all look forward to a healthy and a more secure future for the Commonwealth Games.”
The Games will also have the biggest para sport medal tally of any in its history, and for the first time ever, a para sport – para powerlifting – will have the honour of being the first medal event of the competition. Lewis added: “Para sport sits right at the heart of the Commonwealth Games, and this is a great example of what we should achieve.”
The heptathlete also hailed the importance of the King’s Baton Relay, which is taking place between May 26-31 and being supported by Team England’s official automotive partner, Geely. “The baton symbolises connectivity from country to country as it moves around the Commonwealth,” she added.
“It’s that call to the attention of the Commonwealth that the Games are happening, and that people and communities can get engaged with the baton and its journey. There’s that level of anticipation when you know you’re going to be one of those baton relay runners.
“People will feel a sense of pride that they are representing their community. They’ve got family and friends who can get involved. It is just very special to be part of it, to witness it, and for that culmination [of the relay] when it arrives in the stadium for the first time.”
Team England are Ready to Win at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Keep up to date on https://teamengland.org/.