Johnson-Thompson Withdraws From 2026 Commonwealth Games as Team England Replaces 5 Athletics Stars
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 23
Johnson-Thompson Withdraws From 2026 Commonwealth Games as Team England Replaces 5 Athletics Stars
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 23
Summary
Katarina Johnson-Thompson, 33, pulled out of the Commonwealth Games through injury on the day of the opening ceremony, with Team England naming Niamh Emerson as her replacement in the heptathlon.
Five high-profile England athletes have now been replaced for Glasgow—Johnson-Thompson, Dina Asher-Smith, Matt Hudson-Smith, Daryll Neita and Amber Anning—dealing a blow before track and field starts on Monday.
Keely Hodgkinson had already skipped the Games to prioritize the European Championships starting on Aug. 10 in Birmingham, and England's squad for that meet is due next week.
Julien Alfred and swimmer Summer McIntosh have also opted out, underscoring how scheduling delays, a crowded calendar and stronger rival events have weakened the Commonwealth Games' pull.