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Athletics NZ eyes bigger picture after “spectacular” Glasgow medal haul
Sport Nation • August 3rd, 2026 2:14 pm
Zoe Hobbs | Photo: Photosport
Athletics New Zealand CEO Cam Mitchell says the sport must capitalise after a standout Commonwealth Games campaign in Glasgow.
New Zealand sent 20 athletics representatives to the Games, with seven returning home with medals.
“Delighted,” Mitchell told Sport Nation's Scotty & Izzy when asked to sum up the campaign.
“We had a big team over there, 20 athletes competing, which is big numbers for us. To have seven walk away with medals was pretty spectacular.”
Zoe Hobbs’ 100m gold was among the defining moments, with Mitchell saying her victory carried significance beyond athletics.
“Not just for our sport but I think for the nation. How inspiring was that to see a Kiwi win a 100 metre sprint?” he said.
“She executed beautifully from start right through the middle phase and then the dip at the end.”
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Mitchell said the result showed what New Zealand athletes can achieve on the world stage, but the challenge now is turning moments of attention into sustained growth.
“The profile of the sport’s strong,” he said.
“These athlete performances help because they create moments of elevated interest and it’s my role and our team’s role to make sure that we continue to capitalise on that.”
Mitchell also pointed to the spread of success across the team, including gold for Eliza McCartney, bronze for Imogen Ayris, silver medals for Lauren Bruce and Tori Peeters, and a strong group of debutants.
“That’s the beautiful thing about our sport, all shapes and sizes. Tall, lean, muscular, powerful, there’s an event for everybody,” he said.
The Games also act as a key checkpoint on the road to Los Angeles 2028.
“From a high-performance perspective, this is sort of the midway point into LA,” Mitchell said.
“It’s a really important reflection point just to understand how we’re tracking.”
Mitchell said Athletics NZ’s new partnership with ASB would help support junior programmes, running events and the high-performance pathway, but more commercial backing is still needed.
“We’re always on the hunt for more commercial partners,” he said.
“We’ve got to get out in the market and make sure we get more money so we can invest in the sport and help our athletes achieve their potential.”
He said the club system remains vital to that mission.
“All of those athletes that we’re talking about, they’ve come through a club system,” Mitchell said.
“That community connection all the way through to the top, that makes our sport survive and thrive.”
Listen to the full interview below:
