As the 2026 Commonwealth Games prepare to kick off in Glasgow, a startling incident has put a temporary spotlight on athlete security, after Australian middle-distance runner Olli Hoare encountered a person brandishing a knife during a pre-competition training run in the city centre.
Initial reports incorrectly linked Hoare’s experience to the fatal stabbing of 44-year-old Paul McMinigal, who was found dead on Burgher Street in Glasgow’s east end the day before the runner’s sighting. That early narrative was later corrected following a review of GPS data from Hoare’s smartwatch, which confirmed the knife incident he witnessed took place the day after McMinigal’s death, at a separate location in the city.
Following the incident, circulating reports claimed that Australian team officials had ordered all athletes to only train in small groups and avoid wearing the team’s iconic green and gold uniform during outdoor runs. However, BBC Scotland has since clarified that this guidance is not a specific response to the Glasgow incident, but rather standard security protocol implemented for all major international championships.
Despite the unsettling encounter, Team Australia, which currently sits atop the Commonwealth Games medal table, has stated it holds no major concerns over athlete safety for the duration of the event. A spokesperson for the Australian delegation confirmed that organisers and team officials are working in close coordination with Glasgow 2026 planning committees to prioritise the wellbeing of all athletes, coaches, officials, and visiting family members.
“Our regular Games security briefings are keeping us comprehensively informed on potential risks across the city, and we’re sharing applicable information with Team Members to ensure their awareness and safety,” the spokesperson added in an official statement. After the incident, team welfare officials checked in with Hoare to confirm his wellbeing, and confirmed there are no ongoing safety issues linked to the encounter.
Hoare is still set to compete as scheduled in the highly anticipated men’s mile event at Scotstoun Stadium this Saturday, where he will face off against a stacked field of top Scottish competitors. The race is expected to be led by current world record holder Josh Kerr, who enters as the favourite for gold, alongside former 1500m world champion Jake Wightman and Neil Gourley, a decorated athlete with both world and European indoor 1500m medals to his name. Rising Australian track star Cameron Myers, who set a new under-21 1500m world record in July, will also join the starting line-up.
This article has been corrected from its original publication, which misattributed Hoare’s sighting to the aftermath of McMinigal’s killing, following the emergence of new GPS evidence that clarifies the timeline and location of the two separate incidents.