Para powerlifter Mark Swan won the very first gold medal of Glasgow 2026 and he will now have a starring role in the Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony after being selected as Team England’s flag bearer on Sunday 2 August.
Swan gave Team England the perfect start to the competition in Glasgow when he triumphed in the men’s lightweight para powerlifting, the very first medal event of the Games.
Swan found out that he had been selected when he was surprised by Team England Chef de Mission Jonny Riall and he was blown away by the honour.
He said: “What a fantastic opportunity it is, I'm absolutely over the moon. I feel a big sense of pride in that opportunity. I want to say a big thank you and go and have some fun.
“The impact the Games have had on Team England has been absolutely phenomenal, the energy in the hotel at our prep camp was sky high and we were ready.
“The people of Glasgow have done an absolutely fantastic job, the effort they have put in is top class and it's massively appreciated.
“It's does not go unnoticed, the work done behind the scenes. I speak on behalf of all the athletes and all the staff, we're very appreciative and overwhelmed by the support.
"We want to say a huge thank you.”
The 25-year-old from County Durham was appearing at his second Commonwealth Games, having won silver in the same event at Birmingham 2022.
He followed that up with silver at the Paralympic Games in Paris, but this gold medal ranks top of the list in his career achievements.
Swan added: "They are the best Games I've ever been to by far. Winning in front of my family, in front of my wife, it's hard to beat that, I don't think I'll ever beat that moment.”
Explaining why Swan had been chosen as flag bearer for the Closing Ceremony, Riall highlighted how the para powerlifter was not just an ambassador for his sport or Team England, but the Games as a whole.
He said: “We needed somebody who could be our flag bearer who represented our team proudly and could stand in front of 250 English athletes with a sense of absolute pride at how they have represented not just their sport, not just this team but the entire Commonwealth Games.”
