Olympic Gold Medalist Ellesse Andrews Heads to Glasgow 2026

Christchurch is sending two of its brightest cycling stars to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, and one of them is already making Olympic history.

Ellesse Andrews and Samantha Donnelly were named to New Zealand's 19-rider track cycling team this week. For Andrews, it's a chance to add to an already stunning medal collection that includes two gold medals from Paris 2024.

Andrews made headlines last summer when she won gold in both the individual sprint and keirin at the Paris Olympics. She also teamed up with Shaane Fulton and Rebecca Petch to claim silver in the team sprint, cementing her place as one of New Zealand's most decorated track cyclists.

This will be Andrews' third Commonwealth Games. At Birmingham 2022, she walked away with three gold medals and even stepped in to help the team pursuit squad win silver when a teammate got injured.

Donnelly brings her own impressive credentials to Glasgow. Born into a cycling family (her father won gold at the 1990 Commonwealth Games), she's been building momentum on the international stage with recent World Cup victories in Hong Kong and Malaysia.

She'll compete in the women's elimination race and team pursuit, with potential starts in the points race and scratch race. For the 25-year-old, Glasgow will mark her first Commonwealth Games after serving as a reserve at the Paris Olympics.

The Ripple Effect

New Zealand has deep roots at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome. Kiwi cyclists brought home 11 medals from the 2014 Commonwealth Games there and eight more at the World Championships three years ago.

The country's Commonwealth cycling legacy stretches back even further. Since 1934, New Zealand has collected 93 cycling medals across all Commonwealth Games, building a tradition that inspires each new generation of riders.

This year's team blends proven champions like Andrews with emerging talents like Donnelly. They'll train alongside New Zealand's Para-cyclists at a UK camp before competition begins July 23, creating a shared experience that strengthens the entire cycling community.

Glasgow 2026 also serves as a crucial stepping stone toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, giving riders valuable competition experience on the world stage.

The selection of these two Christchurch athletes shows that excellence in New Zealand cycling isn't slowing down.