Saskatoon product and thrower Maitlan Knoke is one of 12 athletes who will represent Team Canada in Para Athletics at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, taking place July 23-August 2.
Knoke, who will compete in shot put, will get his first taste of multi-sport Games action for Canada. Following is the news release from Commonwealth Sport Canada…..
Para Athletics Team Named for 2026 Commonwealth Games
12 athletes chosen to represent Canada
OTTAWA – (April 20, 2026) – Commonwealth Sport Canada (CSC) and Athletics Canada are proud to announce the athletes who will represent Team Canada in Para Athletics at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, taking place July 23 to August 2, 2026.
This year’s team features five athletes making their second trip to the Commonwealth Games, including one 2022 Commonwealth Games medallist, as well as multiple Worlds and Paralympic veterans.
“This team reflects the strength and depth of para athletics in Canada, with athletes who are not only ready to compete, but ready to perform on the world stage,” said Kelly Laframboise, Director, Team Canada 2026. “The Commonwealth Games provide a critical step in their journey, and this integrated environment helps prepare our athletes to deliver when it matters most.”
“This is a diverse team, with a strong mix of experienced Paralympians and emerging athletes,” said Athletics Canada’s Para Lead, Carla Nicholls. “Integrated Games aren’t just symbolic, they’re performance-driven. When you bring athletes together in one environment with shared standards and expectations, you elevate the entire system.”
The women’s team features 2022 Commonwealth Games veterans Natalie Thirsk, who set a personal best in the heats four years ago, and Nandini Sharma who finished 7th In the women’s T54 1500 metre event.
Paralympian Sheriauna Haase, and World Para Athletics Championships team members Addisyn Franceschini and Chloe Dunbar, will make their Commonwealth Games debuts in Glasgow. Emerging talent Christel Robichaud makes her national team debut.
“The Commonwealth Games holds a special place in my heart, as the 2022 Commonwealth Games was my first time on Team Canada. I remember the immense pride and excitement I felt stepping onto the track in front of a roaring crowd at the 2022 Commonwealth Games,” said Natalie Thirsk, who will compete in the T38 100 and 200 metre events. It is always a huge honour to represent Canada and a full circle moment for me to come back to the Games and compete as a veteran athlete. I am very excited and grateful for the opportunity to represent Canada at the 2026 Commonwealth Games!”
On the men’s side, 2022 Commonwealth Games medallist Zachary Gingras makes his return. Gingras took bronze in the men’s T38 100 metre event in Birmingham, scoring a personal best time in the process. Gingras is also the owner of 2020 Paralympic bronze in the event and 2023 World Para Athletics Championships silver in the T38 400 metres.
“It’s always an honour to represent Canada at a global multisport competition, and I’m so lucky to do this for the second time. I can’t wait to don the red and white again this summer, alongside the rest of this amazing team,” Gingras said. “The Commonwealth Games are so unique for Paralympic athletes such as myself, as we are integrated into the program alongside our Olympic counterparts. The entire experience is so one-of-a-kind, and helps us create relationships and bonds outside of our typical crowd, which will last beyond the closing ceremonies.”
George Quarcoo also makes his second Commonwealth Games team. The 2018 Games veteran will race alongside his guide Segun Makinde, who competed as an able-bodied sprinter at Gold Coast 2018, racing the 100 metre heats and as a member of the men’s 4×100 metre relay team.
World Para Athletics Championships veterans on the team include 2023 T20 long jump silver medallist Noah Vucsics and Michael Barber. Emerging thrower Maitlan Knoke gets his first taste of multisport Games action for Canada.
While the para athletics team for Glasgow 2026 does not have a specific medal goal, the Commonwealth Games are always treated as an opportunity to hone the team’s skills in preparation, strong processes, and delivering performances when it counts.
In preparation, members of the team will participate in the World Para Athletics Grand Prix event in Nottwil, Switzerland at the end of May, while every athlete named today will compete at the 2026 Canadian Track & Field Championships in Ottawa for their final preparation, June 17 to 21.
The para athletics competition at the 2026 Commonwealth Games will take place at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow from July 27 to August 1, featuring 16 medal events:
Men’s medal events include: 100m (T11/12), 100m (T37/38), 100m (T45/47), 1500m (T20), 1500m (T53/54), Long Jump (T20), Shot Put (F55–57), Discus Throw (F42–44).
Women’s medal events will be: 100m (T37/38), 100m (T45/47), 200m (T37/38), 400m (T53/54), 1500m (T53/54), Long Jump (T37/38), Shot Put (F55–57), Discus Throw (F42–44).
Glasgow 2026 will include 10 sports, including six Para sports. The Commonwealth Games are the only multi-sport event that feature equal standing for sport and para-sport events.
“This environment where para athletes are competing on the same stage, with the same standards and expectations, elevates performance across the board,” Nicholls said. “Having para events integrated within a multi-sport Games alongside Olympic program events is incredibly important. It reinforces that we are one high-performance system, where excellence is expected regardless of classification.”
“Para integration at the Commonwealth Games shows the world that Para-athletes are still athletes: athletes who train and compete as hard as their able-bodied counterparts with the same grit and determination,” Thirsk said. “From personal experience, para integration strengthens the bonds between teammates and among Team Canada as we come together and represent Canada as one.”
Up to 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories from across the Commonwealth will compete at the 2026 Commonwealth Games over 11 days of competition across the city of Glasgow.
The para athletics team which will represent Canada at the Glasgow 2026 Games includes:
Team Canada will reveal its list of able-bodied athletes qualified for the Games, as well as the full integrated coaching staff for athletics and para athletics on June 21.
ABOUT TEAM CANADA 2026
The 2026 Commonwealth Games will bring together 74 nations and territories in a celebration of sport, culture, and community. Team Canada will once again compete with pride, unity, and determination on the global stage on this important path to Olympic and Paralympic success. Team Canada will feature 153 athletes, including one guide, 82 team officials and 19 mission staff. Canada’s performance projection in 2026 is a top three ranking, in total medals, amongst all nations and territories competing. Team Canada’s dedicated mission team will provide an optimal environment by celebrating equality, diversity, and non-discrimination. This is in support of our goals needed to enable a best ever performance by Canadian athletes at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
