Hannah Brier, Wales' fastest ever woman, has been ruled out of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow because she missed Team Wales' selection deadline by just eight days. Brier broke a 44-year-old national record in the 200m on Monday, running 22.79 seconds—a time that would have secured bronze at the previous Games. However, Team Wales required athletes to achieve qualifying times by 17 May, whereas Team Scotland and Team England set their deadlines three and four weeks later, respectively.
Brier, 28, expressed devastation at missing what is likely her last Games. "It's very difficult for us Welsh athletes because we almost have to come out with our absolute A-game in April or May which is crazy when the championships are in August," she told BBC Sport Wales. "The standards are tough but relatively fair, but how early the deadlines are set needs to be looked at."
Brier had already met the Commonwealth B standard of 23.07 before the deadline, but Team Wales policy requires athletes to beat the mark, not just match it. She further underlined her status by breaking the Welsh 200m record held since 1982.
James Williams, CEO of Welsh Athletics, acknowledged the frustration, saying the governing body had raised concerns in March that the deadline was "extremely early" for track and field athletes. Team Wales declined to comment on individual cases, stating their selection process is published online for transparency.
Despite her disappointment, Brier remains optimistic about her form. "It makes me think if I'm running these times now in May, what on earth am I going to be running in August because it's only up from here," she said.