Johnson-Thompson and Asher-Smith out of Commonwealth Games

Commonwealth Games 2026: Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Dina Asher-Smith and netball star Natalie Metcalf out of Glasgow 2026 Two of England's biggest athletics stars - Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Dina Asher-Smith - have withdrawn from the Commonwealth Games due to injury; Netball star Natalie Metcalf also out of Glasgow 2026 with the opening ceremony to be held later on Thursday Last Updated: 23/07/26 1:44pm England medal hopes Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Dina Asher-Smith have pulled out of the Commonwealth Games. Johnston-Thompson was one of the favourites for the heptathlon, having won gold at the Gold Coast in 2018 and Birmingham 2022, while Asher-Smith was set to compete in the relays. Fellow Olympic medallists Matthew Hudson-Smith and Daryll Neita have also announced their withdrawals alongside Amber Anning, Zac Sneddon, Anna Purchase, Elliot Giles and Jona Efoloko. Also on Thursday, England netball star Natalie Metcalf withdrew from the Games because of a calf injury. Metcalf, who was part of the 2018 squad that won Commonwealth gold in Australia, has been replaced by Ella Clark. The opening ceremony in Glasgow takes place on Thursday night before the first medals are handed out on Friday through to the final day on Sunday, August 2. More to follow...