Commonwealth Games: Adaptability the key as track and field events begin on Monday

For the past few weeks, Glasgow’s weather has tested the patience of the visitors, if not the residents, with intermittent rain and gusty winds forcing everyone to reach out for their hoods and umbrellas. But for the competitors arriving at the Scotstoun Stadium for the six-day athletics event at the Commonwealth Games, beginning on Monday, the conditions will present a far greater challenge.

They will have to adapt quickly as India’s javelin ace Neeraj Chopra pointed out during his interaction with the media. Wind could alter the trajectory of a javelin, disturb a long jumper’s rhythm during the approach, and make sprint races even more demanding.

For India, there is no bigger medal hope than Neeraj.

The Olympic and World champion returns to the Commonwealth stage after a gap of eight years, with high expectations of another podium finish and possibly another gold medal. But the competition will be far from straightforward. Standing in his way will be reigning Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan, two-time World champion Anderson Peters of Grenada, and Sri Lanka’s rising star Rumesh Pathirage, who produced a massive 92.62m throw at the Rome Diamond League this season and has emerged as a serious contender.

Neeraj acknowledged that the conditions could be difficult for everyone, saying athletes would have to make the necessary adjustments. His experience of competing and winning on the biggest stages, however, makes him well equipped to handle the challenge.

While a medal from Neeraj appears highly likely, the larger question is whether the Indian contingent can improve on the eight medals won at Birmingham 2022 — one gold, four silver and three bronze.

In the men’s javelin event, youngsters such as Yashvir Singh and Rohit Yadav will look to make their mark and challenge the established order.

The men’s long jump could be another bright spot. M. Sreeshankar arrives in Glasgow in excellent form, having recorded a season’s best of 8.38m. After winning silver at Birmingham 2022, Sreeshankar will be determined to change the colour of his medal.

Tejaswin Shankar, the 2022 Birmingham Games high jump bronze medallist, has shown impressive form and will look to improve on his previous Commonwealth Games performance. He also owns the second-highest season’s best in men’s decathlon among those in the field here (8,057 points, a National record).

Sarvesh Kushare, National record holder in men’s high jump, is another medal possibility after clearing 2.31m, among the best marks in the Commonwealth this season.

In the men’s triple jump, Praveen Chithravel will hope to better his fourth-place finish at Birmingham. He has a season’s best of 17.08m.

Tejas Shirse, with a season’s best of 13.27 seconds in the 110m hurdles, and Gulveer Singh, whose National record of 13:03.93 in the 5000m places him among the Commonwealth’s best, will also aim to make an impact.

Among the women, Parul Chaudhary in the 3000m steeplechase and Seema Punia in discus throw remain outside medal chances but cannot be ruled out.

Scotstoun Stadium, which served as a training and warm-up venue in the 2014 Commonwealth Games, returns 12 years later as the main stage for athletics. Its transformation could well mirror India’s own journey at Glasgow 2026 — from hope to glory.