Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain, the Olympic medalists, have been selected to lead India’s contingent during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The Indian Olympic Association on Saturday confirmed that the two athletes will serve as India’s flag and baton bearers when the games commence on the 23rd of July at the OVO Hydra arena.
Confirming the decision, IOA President PT Usha said the appointment of the two Olympians reflects their contribution to Indian sport and wished the entire contingent success at the Games.
“It is a matter of pride that Mirabai and Lovlina will be doing the honours at the OVO Hydro. I wish both the girls and the entire contingent good luck,” she said in an official release issued by the IOA.
India has competed in all editions of the Commonwealth Games except four, starting in 1934. They are expected to host the games in 2030. For India, the most successful event in these Games is shooting.
India’s total medal tally at the Commonwealth Games so far is: 564, comprising 203 gold, 190 silver, and 171 bronze medals.
Debut:
Indian athletes debuted at the Commonwealth Games in 1934, then known as the British Empire Games. The Indian contingent at the 1934 London Games featured six athletes, who competed in 10 track and field events and one wrestling event. They won one medal during their debut.
Wrestler Rashid Anwar was the first Indian to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games after winning a bronze in the men’s 74kg freestyle wrestling event.
First Gold Medal:
In the 1958 Games, Milkha Singh became the first Indian to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in the men’s 440-yard event at Cardiff.
They won another gold in the same edition, where the heavyweight wrestler Lila Ram won in the men’s 100kg freestyle category.
Cardiff 1958 was a historic year for women’s participation too, as track and field athletes Stephanie D’Souza and Elizabeth Davenport became the first Indian women to compete at the Commonwealth Games
First Women’s Medal:
Indian Badminton players Ami Ghia and Kanwal Thakar Singh were the first Indian women to win a Commonwealth Games medal during the 1978 Edmonton Games. They won a women’s doubles bronze medal.
Most Medals and Best Position:
India’s most medals came during the 2010 Games, which were hosted at home in New Delhi, and the second most medals were won during the 2002 Manchester Games.
2010 New Delhi:
Gold – 38
Silver – 27
Bronze – 36
Total: 101 medals
2002 Manchester:
Gold – 30
Silver – 22
Bronze – 17
Total: 69 medals
India’s best finish was during the 2010 New Delhi Games, where they came in second. Since then, their top performances have ranked fourth on three occasions — at the 2002 Manchester Games, the 2006 Melbourne Games, and the 2022 Birmingham Games.
Medals by Sport:
The top three sports in which India has won the most medals are: Shooting, Boxing and Wrestling.
Shooting: Gold – 63, Silver – 44, Bronze – 28
Total: 135
Wrestling: Gold – 49, Silver – 39,
Bronze – 26
Total: 114
Boxing: Gold – 46, Silver – 51, Bronze – 36
Total: 133
