Thursday January 29th 2026
Para powerlifter Finlay Davidson at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh where his selection for Team Scotland was unveiled as part of the All In Glasgow 2026 campaign.
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Set to compete for the first medal of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026, Glaswegian para powerlifter Finlay Davidson says competing on home soil will be one of the proudest moments of his life after officially being selected for Team Scotland.
The 21-year-old from Inverkeithing in Fife expressed that he is ‘proud’ of para liftings global success as he prepares to compete for the games first medal.
Davidson, who has already competed in two World Championships and is currently ranked 7th in the Commonwealth, will line up in the Men’s Lightweight Under 72kg category at Glasgow 2026, the first time a Para sport event has received the opening medal of a Games.
After only taking up Para Powerlifting in 2022 after he was inspired by the Birmingham Games, he explained that Glasgow 2026 will mark his first time competing on home soil in any competition.
Alongside this, he is the first Scottish athlete to compete for a medal at the 2026 games when Para Powerlifting opens the sporting programme on 24 July in the SEC Armadillo.
Davidson’s selection was unveiled at Dynamic Earth, in Edinburgh, as part of All In – Glasgow 2026’s nationwide campaign calling on the nation to join the Commonwealth Games celebration.
Talking about his prides on selection, Davidson, who is coached by renowned para powerlifting coach Neil Crosbie, who guided double amputee Micky Yule to Commonwealth Silver at Birmingham 2022, said it will be ‘a dream come true’ to pull on the Scotland vest at a home Games.
He said: “It’s been my dream to compete in a Commonwealth Games since taking up the sport. It’s the only time you get to pull on the Scotland vest and represent your home nation, and I never thought I’d get the chance to do it at a home Games. When Glasgow stepped in to take on 2026, I knew I had to be there – I think a lot of Team Scotland athletes will feel the same.
“Competing for the first medal for Team Scotland will be one of the proudest moments of my life. I’ll be putting everything into performing to the best of my ability for the home support.
“I’m immensely proud that a Games in Scotland is leading by example with the biggest Para sport programme in Commonwealth Games history. Putting para and non-Para athletes side by side is so important – in sport and beyond. This is going to be one of the most special Commonwealth Games ever and I’m so excited to be part of it.”
Finlay Davidson at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh following his Team Scotland selection.
He added: “Glasgow 2026 is Scotland’s Games and we want the whole nation to get behind us. At a grassroots level, getting people involved is massive, and All In will help get more people into sport, open up new opportunities, and get the whole nation to feel part of this fantastic event in our home country.”
Elinor Middlemiss MBE, Team Scotland Chef de Mission, said:
“Finlay’s selection is a fantastic moment for Team Scotland and for Para Powerlifting in this country. In a short space of time he has shown the talent, commitment and resilience needed to compete on the world stage, and Glasgow 2026 gives him the perfect platform to do that in front of a home crowd.
“To have a Scottish Para athlete lifting for the first medal of the Games is hugely symbolic. It underlines the importance of Para sport to Glasgow 2026 and the Commonwealth movement, and sends a powerful message to young disabled people across Scotland that there is a pathway for them in high-performance sport.
“With the support of Scottish fans and the energy All In is creating across the country, we believe Finlay and the rest of Team Scotland can deliver something very special this summer.”
Suzie Holligan, Visitor Experience and Event Director at Dynamic Earth, said:
“Dynamic Earth is all about bringing big global stories to life in ways that feel close, hands-on and inspiring – and Glasgow 2026 is one of the biggest stories Scotland will tell this decade.
“Going All In means we’ll be using our spaces, our education programmes and our creativity to help families, schools and visitors feel part of the Games. It’s a privilege to go All In and welcome Team Scotland to Dynamic Earth at such an exciting moment on the road to the Games.”
Edinburgh’s Dynamic Earth is celebrating the 2026 games by delivering a summer-long programme of family-friendly activities that aims to connect young people and visitors to the excitement of the Commonwealth Games over in Glasgow. Dynamic Earth joins hundreds of organisations across Scotland going All In for Glasgow 2026, including Paisley Alive, Jambo! Radio, Glasgow Barrowland, LEAP Sports Scotland, Glasgow Taxis and more in creating their own locally-led activity to build excitement and pride ahead of the Games.
Featuring 10 sports and a record-breaking Para sport programme from 23 July to 2 August, hundreds of thousands of tickets have already been sold for the Glasgow games. The Games will take place within an eight-mile corridor across Glasgow, creating a festival-style atmosphere at venues including Scotstoun Stadium, the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) and the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and Arena.
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