McColgan to miss Glasgow Games defence after foot fracture

McColgan was set to be one of the faces of the 2026 Commonwealth Games after her gold in Birmingham

>Scotland's Eilish McColgan will miss out on the chance to defend her Commonwealth Games 10,000m title in her home country after failing to recover sufficently from a foot fracture.

>McColgan, 35, emulated mother Liz by roaring to gold in Birmingham four years ago in one of the most iconic moments of that event.

>In an injury-scarred spell since then, she transitioned to road racing but committed to returning to the track so she could compete at a second home Games in Glasgow after doing the steeplechase in 2014.

>However, battling through a gruesome toe injury in April's London Marathon led to an undetected stress fracture.

>Scotland win three medals in 45 minutes to kick-start Glasgow 2026

>Why is it so special to be part of Team Scotland?

>And, despite cautious optimism that she had recovered enough to race on Monday at Scotstoun, McColgan and her team have taken the decision to withdraw.

>"Sadly, I won't be competing at Glasgow 2026," she said in a statement. "After almost 10 weeks out, it probably won't come as a huge surprise.

>"The good news is I'm back running. The bad news is I've simply run out of time to get myself, and my toe, back into spikes.

>"Having started the year stronger than ever, I know the fitness is there but having only taken my first run outdoors a couple of weeks ago, the clock was always against me.

>"I'll be in Glasgow all week cheering on Team Scotland and wish everyone on the team the best of luck at the Games."

>It was confirmation of news we all suspected might come.

>McColgan was always intending to give herself every chance of making it to the start line in Glasgow, and every chance of competing in front of a home crowd.

>Mum Liz was cautiously optimistic speaking to BBC Sport earlier in the week but, after some final training sessions, they have decided it is just too much.

>It robs the Games of another big name, and Team Scotland of a poster girl. But, in reality, given she has moved to the road since winning gold in Birmingham, McColgan was unlikely to be a medal contender anyway at Scotstoun.

>But that won't allay the disappointment among those hoping to see her run.