How a three-year-old helped Fachie become Scotland record-breaker
Neil Fachie won his sixth Commonwealth Games gold medal in the Tandem B 1,000m event at Glasgow 2026, becoming Scotland’s most successful gold medallist at the Games. The visually impaired para-cyclist said thoughts of his three-year-old son Fraser helped him through the final laps, while the result also gave Scotland its first cycling medal of the competition.
Fachie, 42, had largely stepped away from cycling after the Paris Paralympics and returned mainly because the Games were being held at home; he now works full-time and trains roughly once a week. He rode with English pilot Aaron Pope, who only began tandem cycling this year, as Scotland’s time held after Australia and favourites Wales failed to beat it; Scotland’s women also won team sprint bronze through Lauren Bell, Iona Moir and Maddy Silcock.
- Fachie won a record sixth Commonwealth Games gold for Scotland.
- His son Fraser provided motivation during the decisive race.
- Scotland also claimed women’s team sprint bronze.
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Neil Fachie is a Scottish para-cyclist who competes in tandem cycling, a discipline for visually impaired athletes who ride a two-person bicycle with a sighted pilot who provides steering and guidance. Fachie has established himself as one of Scotland's most decorated athletes at the Commonwealth Games, the major sporting competition held every four years between nations across the Commonwealth.
After the Paris Paralympics, Fachie largely stepped away from competitive cycling and returned to full-time employment, training only occasionally. The opportunity to compete at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, his home city, prompted his return to competitive sport at age 42.
Para-cycling is an integral part of the Commonwealth Games, featuring athletes with visual impairments competing at elite level. Fachie's decision to return to competition after a period away emphasises the particular appeal of the Games being held in his home city.