There is a black and white signed photo on my office wall of the moment that Roger Bannister crossed the line to become the first person to run a sub four-minute mile.

It was a special moment in 1954 at the Iffley Road track in Oxford, only to be followed by the famous “miracle mile” later that year at the Vancouver Commonwealth Games.

Bannister held off the challenge of Australian John Landy, the only other man to have broken the four-minute mile barrier at that time, to win Commonwealth gold and today, a statue stands outside the stadium for all to see and to remember the moment.

I was privileged to meet and chat with Roger Bannister, 56 years on from that day, in the run up to the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The character of the man shone brightly, and I was reminded that few moments in sport capture the imagination quite like Roger Bannister’s Miracle Mile.

His breaking of the four-minute barrier wasn’t just a physical achievement—it was a masterclass in perseverance, focus, and the refusal to accept limits. Against the backdrop of doubt and pressure, Bannister dared to redefine what was possible.

It is fitting that The Mile returns for the reimagined 2026 Commonwealth Games next summer.

Bannister’s legacy echoes far beyond the track and reminds us of what is needed in the modern Commonwealth Sport movement: breaking down barriers, rethinking the future, and making excellence tangible.

As Chairman of Team England, I see that same spirit burning in the athletes preparing for Glasgow.

They are not just training for medals; they are preparing to inspire our nation, defy expectations, and create a legacy that can do justice to the inspiration of those days in Oxford and Vancouver.

As we mark one year to go, we are starting to feel the unmistakable sense of possibility in the air.

For Team England, this is not just the excitement of a UK Games —it is a chance to honour our past while boldly stepping into the future.

We’re working closely with Commonwealth Sport and the Glasgow 2026 Organising Committee, and they have made one thing clear—the next Games are going to be ‘brilliantly different’.

The momentum is building fast and despite the condensed timeline, what has already been achieved is hugely impressive; the vision for The Games is really coming to life.

I have always admired how the integrated nature of the Commonwealth Games brings people together like no other event, and Glasgow 2026 is set to do just that, with a bold new format that builds on all the excitement we know and love.

Personally, I’ll be on the edge of my seat, with the rest of the country, to see which athletes step up to represent Team England in The Mile.

It already feels like we will be witnessing something far bigger than just the return of a legendary event, but also the start of a new era for Commonwealth sport. It promises to be another special moment.

John Steele OBE

Chair Commonwealth Games England