Australia has unveiled its Para athletics team, consisting of 24 athletes, including 17 newcomers and eight teenagers, with 14-year-old Lexie Brown being the youngest member. Wheelchair racer Angie Ballard is set to make history by competing in her fifth Commonwealth Games, the highest number of participations by any Para athlete to date.
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games kick off on July 23 and will run for 11 days, concluding on August 2. Angie Ballard, a prominent figure in Australian Para sports, will lead the Para athletics team during this milestone event. Having previously secured gold in Glasgow in 2014, she expresses her excitement about returning to a familiar venue.
“Reaching my fifth Games is a significant achievement in my career, and I look forward to this event every time,” Ballard remarked. “This is a remarkable competition and team, as we Para athletes are also part of the able-bodied team.” Reflecting on her long-standing career, Ballard appreciates the resilience she has developed, noting that her ability to remain active in the sport is a considerable accomplishment.
As a seven-time Paralympian, Ballard will compete in the women’s 400m and 1500m T54 events, hoping to add another medal to her collection amid fierce competition. “I truly love what I do—training, pushing my limits, and being part of our vibrant international community,” she added. “My longevity in the sport has been supported by advancements in injury management and athlete care, which have improved significantly since the early days of my career.”
The squad showcases a noteworthy age diversity, featuring athletes ranging from 14 to 44 years old. Among the debutants, Ella Pardy, Rhiannon Clarke, Jaydon Page, Samuel Carter, Julie Charlton, and Eliza Ault-Connell will strive to enhance the team’s tally of nine medals earned in past Commonwealth Games.
Ballard, now 43, finds joy in her fifth Games experience and hopes her journey will guide the younger athletes, including Brown. “With so many people in the village, it can be overwhelming, and it’s essential to balance participation with energy conservation,” she explained. “Recognizing which moments require your full attention—like the opening ceremony—while managing the other time-consuming aspects of travel is crucial to staying focused for competition day.”
This year marks a significant development in the Commonwealth Games, with athletics being a staple since 1930, but only including Para exhibition events since 1994. For the first time in over three decades, the Games will feature just ten sports, including a record 16 Para athletics events.
Petria Thomas, the chef de mission for the Australian team, praised the squad’s spirit, describing them as “resilient, determined, and world-class.” She noted the ongoing integration of Para sports into the Commonwealth Games framework, highlighting the progress made since the introduction of Para events at the 1994 Victoria Games. “This evolution is unique in the global sports landscape, and our Para athletics team is poised to inspire audiences both nationally and internationally,” Thomas stated.
For Ballard, it is essential to acknowledge the varying opportunities for Para athletes at the Commonwealth Games. “It’s vital to remember that the events available to Para athletes can differ each time,” she said. “We don’t have the same number of events as able-bodied athletes, which means that luck plays a role in whether one’s event is featured. I’ve been fortunate that mine has consistently been included, but not all members of our Para team have had that opportunity.”
As Ballard looks ahead, she recognizes that, despite fewer overall competitors, the journey for Para athletes continues to evolve.
