After Victoria withdrew in 2023, Glasgow answered the SOS call - and organisers say the past 11 days in the Scottish city have "exceeded all expectations". Yes, there have been grumbles - including from those who have seen parking spaces outside their houses taken - and taxi drivers and shop owners the Games have passed by. It has been rare to enter a venue and not find a joyful, engaged crowd. Glasgow 2026 was also hurt by the absence or late withdrawal of big-name competitors, particularly in athletics, which missed Keely Hodgkinson, Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Dina Asher-Smith. Cyclist Emma Finucane turned her three Olympic medals in Paris into four Commonwealth golds in Glasgow.