Akani Simbine sits out 2026 Commonwealth Games 100m Glasgow; youth gain relay opportunity
Akani Simbine elects to sit out 2026 Commonwealth Games 100m to propel next generation: “The youth need opportunities”
Akani Simbine elects to sit out 2026 Commonwealth Games 100m to propel next generation: “The youth need opportunities”
The former Commonwealth men’s 100m champion explained to Olympics.com that he will focus on the relay race at Glasgow 2026.
Akani Simbine recognises his responsibility in supporting the future of South African track at the 2026 Commonwealth Games .
Having made his competition debut at Glasgow 2014, the 32-year-old returns to the Scottish city as the third-oldest male in South Africa’s Athletics & Para Athletics squad.
Two of his three Commonwealth Games medals have come in the men’s 100m, including the gold medal at Gold Coast 2018. However, the Gauteng native is choosing to relinquish his own opportunity for sprint success in favour of his teammates.
“They wanted me to race the 100m, but then I decided not to,” Simbine tells Olympics.com in Glasgow. “There’s a lot of the younger guys that, for them to actually compete at this level, it’ll mean a lot for them.
“I felt like it’s very important for me to say, ‘Okay, I’ve done this twice now. Let me just put myself up for the relay, but then give an opportunity for the younger guys to take a step into an individual event where it can help them propel their careers and build their belief’. It’s important because they get the opportunity to run at a stage like this.”
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Men’s 4x100m Relay Final | Athletics | Olympic Games Paris 2024
The Men’s 4x100m Relay final took place at Stade de France, on 09
- Canada won Gold with a time of 37.50 seconds. South Africa won Silver and Great Britain completed the podium.
Simbine will instead focus on the men’s 4x100m relay, an event in which he is an Olympic, world and Commonwealth silver medallist, on Saturday (1 August).
The sprinter has already reached the 100m podium twice in three appearances, and at Glasgow 2026, the sprint baton will be passed on to the nation’s rising stars at the Scotstoun Stadium.
“I know what it feels like,” Simbine continues. “I’ve done it, and I’ve won this thing. For me now…the youth need opportunities, and I shouldn’t stand in the way of taking that opportunity away. If it takes opportunity away from me, yes, 100 per cent, I’ll take my step. But then give it to someone who will need it and will use it to propel themselves.”
South Africa’s track team includes fellow Paris 2024 silver medallist Bradley Nkoana and national 100m champion and double Olympian Gift Leotlela . They are alongside world relay silver medallist Mvuyo Moss (24) and double world under-20 medallist Sinesipho Dambile (24).
Picture by Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
23 July - 2 August
Commonwealth Games 2026 | Glasgow | United Kingdom