Luke Greenbank announced as Team England batonbearer for Glasgow 2026

Luke Greenbank will lead out Team England and represent the swimming squad at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.

The Cockermouth swimmer has been selected as Team England’s batonbearer and will walk out alongside bowler, Sian Honnor, who has been named as flagbearer and will carry the St George’s Cross.

The pair were chosen following a vote by their fellow Team England athletes, having been nominated by their sports in recognition of their achievements, leadership and the example they set to those around them.

This year’s Games marks the first time all 74 Commonwealth nations and territories have received their own baton to decorate in celebration of their culture, before they reunite at the opening ceremony on Thursday 23 July.

England’s baton was decorated by Cornish artist, Bonnie Steward, using plastics collected from beaches and urban spaces, transformed into vibrant mosaics celebrating England’s identity.

The news that Greenbank would be the batonbearer was shared during a team meeting – and the announcement was greeted with a huge cheer from Team England swimmers, coaches and support staff alike.

On receiving the honour, Greenbank said: “To be nominated as batonbearer is really exciting. It’s not something swimmers usually get to experience because we’re competing from day one, but because my events are a little later in the programme, I’ll be able to attend.

“It’ll be a great experience and I’m really proud to represent the team.

“I knew I had been nominated by Swim England, but I wasn’t really expecting anything.

“Then at a team meeting I was told by the Team England staff. It was a really nice moment to be selected by the athletes and represent them at the opening ceremony.”

Following the presentation during the team meeting, Swim England Head of Sport and Team England Team Leader for Swimming and Para-Swimming, Richard Blackshaw, said: “What I wrote about Luke [in the nomination], I truly meant.

“Of everybody here, there’s so many people that would be deserving of going out and leading Team England, but I think everybody here would look at Luke as that person that is that quiet, humble, courageous competitor that we all respect.”

This will be the third Games for Greenbank, following on from Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022.

He won 4x100m medley silver over in Australia before upgrading to gold on home soil, but before Greenbank takes to the pool, he will represent his country at the opening ceremony in the new batonbearer role.