Lincoln Wellington athletes make their mark at 2026 Commonwealth Games

Lincoln Wellington Athletic Club had plenty to celebrate at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with Mabel Akande and Georgina Adam both making their mark on the international stage after being selected to represent England and Scotland, respectively. For 19-year-old Akande, the Games represented an opportunity she had not even expected to get.

Initially selected as a reserve for England’s 100m team, Akande received a late call-up that changed her Commonwealth Games experience in an instant.

“When I got the call up, I did shed a few tears, I was never expecting it,” she said.

“As a reserve, you just kind of relax like, ‘oh everything will be okay, everything goes to plan.’ It was like, ‘oh by the way, we need you to step in,’ so I had to get myself into that mindset quickly.”

Despite having to switch into competition mode at short notice, Akande made the most of her opportunity. She won her 100m heat in 11.32 seconds to secure her place in the semi-finals, where she ran even quicker with 11.30. Her semi-final was a particularly demanding test, with Akande lining up against six sprinters ranked inside the world’s top 20. She ultimately finished sixth, but reaching the Commonwealth Games semi-finals at just 19 marked a significant achievement in her first senior international experience at this level. But Akande’s Games did not end there. She was also selected for England’s women’s 4x100m relay, running the opening leg alongside Aleeya Sibbons, Renee Regis and Louise Evans in the second heat. The quartet finished third in 44.11 to progress to the final.

For the final, Akande again took to the track for England, this time alongside Sibbons, Regis and Success Eduan. The quartet produced a faster time of 43.45 to finish fifth in the Commonwealth Games final. For Akande, representing England was ultimately about much more than the results.

“I’m thankful for Team England for helping me quickly get into the zone,” she said. “Oh my gosh, to be able to represent England, wow.”
Alongside Akande, fellow Lincoln Wellington athlete Georgina Adam also enjoyed a memorable Games after being selected to represent Scotland in the mixed 4x400m relay.

Adam ran the anchor leg as Scotland finished third in their heat in 3:19.07 alongside Brodie Young, Rebecca Grieve and Bradley Francis, and the result secured Scotland’s place in the final which resulted in a fifth-place finish.

With Akande reaching a 100m semi-final and relay final for England and Adam helping Scotland progress to a Commonwealth Games final, the pair provided a strong showcase of the talent coming through Lincoln Wellington Athletic Club. For Akande, in particular, the journey from reserve to Commonwealth Games semi-finalist and relay finalist was an unexpected one. But after receiving that late phone call, she seized the opportunity and made sure she was ready when her chance came.

Report by Ella Witcher.