Remarks from the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Shirley Botchwey, at the Commonwealth Ministerial Welcome Reception on 21 July 2026
It is such a pleasure to join you in Glasgow as we gather to mark the beginning of the Commonwealth Games, and to celebrate the extraordinary community that makes these Games possible.
On behalf of the Commonwealth, let me thank the First Minister, the City of Glasgow, the people and institutions of Scotland, Commonwealth Sport, and the many partners whose vision, commitment and generosity have brought us together.
Hosting the Commonwealth Games is both a privilege and a gift.
Scotland has again welcomed our family with warmth, friendship and characteristic generosity, and we are deeply grateful.
In the days ahead, the eyes of millions will turn to Glasgow. They will see remarkable sporting performances. They will witness courage under pressure, determination in defeat, and joy in victory.
But I hope they will also see something even more powerful: a Commonwealth that comes together in celebration of our shared humanity and dreams. Across 74 nations and territories, athletes have trained for years for this moment.
Behind every competitor stands a coach, a family, a community, and often countless sacrifices that few people will ever see.
I pay tribute to every athlete, official, volunteer, organiser and supporter who will make these Games possible. They remind us that excellence is never achieved alone. The Commonwealth Games occupy a special place in our family of nations.
They are the flagship moments when our diversity becomes something we can see, hear and celebrate together.
Different cultures.
Different flags.
Different histories.
Yet an overlapping bond.
And a spirit of friendship, respect and fair competition. That spirit reflects the very best of the Commonwealth itself.
Sport has an extraordinary power to move people.
It can inspire a child to dream beyond the limits of circumstance.
It can unite communities across difference.
It can strengthen health, confidence and opportunity.
And it can leave a legacy that extends far beyond medals: renewed neighbourhoods, stronger institutions, lasting friendships, greater inclusion, and a new generation inspired. At a time when too much in our world divides us, the Commonwealth Games offer a different vision.
Here, patriotism and partnership do not compete with one another; they reinforce one another.
We cheer for our own, while celebrating the success of others.
We discover that fierce competition and genuine friendship can exist side by side.
In a world searching for new ways to live together, that is no small lesson.
It is the Commonwealth in action.
So, as the Games begin, let us celebrate every performance, every act of sportsmanship, every volunteer's smile, every new friendship, and every young person who discovers what is possible because of these Games.
May Glasgow 2026 leave an enduring legacy for Scotland, for sport, and for our Commonwealth family. And may these Games remind us all that when we come together in friendship and shared purpose, there is no limit to what we can achieve.
