Welsh sensation Emma Finucane seals fourth cycling gold on final day of Commonwealth Games
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
Gold medallist Wales' Emma Finucane celebrates on the podium after winning the Women's Keirin Final on Aug 3, 2026.
PHOTO: REUTERS
GLASGOW – Emma Finucane sprinted into Commonwealth Games history with a fourth track cycling gold as New Zealand were crowned netball queens in the final day of action in Glasgow.
The Welsh sensation has been one of the stars of the Games and completed a clean sweep of sprint medals with victory in the keirin at the Chris Hoy Velodrome.
After previous gold medals in the team and individual sprints and the 1,000m time trial, Finucane proved too strong for New Zealand’s Olympic champion Ellesse Andrews, who took silver with Kristina Clonan of Australia in bronze.
No male or female cyclist had ever won four sprint golds at a single Commonwealth Games on the track.
“Honestly, I can’t put it into words,” said Finucane.
Wales’ Emma Finucane in action during the Women’s Keirin Final.
PHOTO: REUTERS
“Every time I won this week, it was like ‘are you going to get the four?’ And it was just so hard to block it out.
“I really wanted it but just had to race through the races.”
Australia picked up two more golds in the velodrome through Leigh Hoffman in the men’s 1,000m time trial and Alyssa Polites in the women’s elimination race to round off a spectacular 10 days for those in green and gold.
The Australian state of Victoria pulled out of hosting these Games three years ago because of concerns over rising costs.
But Australia’s athletes have looked at home in Glasgow as they topped the medal table with 70 gold medals, 45 silvers and 56 bronzes.
England (29-45-36) were second, followed by Canada (19-20-23).
India, which will host the centenary version of these Games in four years’ time in Ahmedabad, came in fourth with a 13-17-9 tally, followed by hosts Scotland (13-9-17).
One of the few scenes of disappointment for Australia was on the netball court as they failed to reach a Commonwealth final for the first time after a shock single-point defeat by Jamaica on Aug 1.
Jamaica could not spring another surprise as the Silver Ferns of New Zealand pulled away after a tight first half to claim gold, winning 56-48 in front of a sold-out 14,000 crowd.
New Zealand‘s Grace Nweke celebrates with teammates after winning the netball gold medal at the Hydro, Glasgow.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Australia did at least salvage bronze with a 68-50 win over England.
The netball court at the Hydro will quickly be ripped out on Aug 2 to make way for the closing ceremony.
Prince Edward is set to deputise for King Charles III to declare the Games closed after the baton is passed to Ahmedabad. AFP
