Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) is working closely with Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to help ensure the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games provides a safe, fair, clean and inclusive environment for all members of Team Australia.
Building on the success of previous Games campaigns, SIA has been embedded in Team Australia preparations for more than 18 months, helping to integrate integrity considerations into planning, education, incident management and athlete support.
Commonwealth Games Australia Chef de Mission and SIA team member, Petria Thomas OLY, said the partnership between the organisations has played a critical role in preparing the Australian team for Glasgow.
"I'm really proud of the relationship that Commonwealth Games Australia has developed with Sport Integrity Australia," Ms Thomas said.
We'll have integrity officers embedded within our team and that's a real reflection of the positive work Commonwealth Games Australia is doing in this space.
– Petria Thomas OLY, Commonwealth Games Australia Chef de Mission and SIA team member
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"We're taking a proactive approach to keeping everyone safe and creating an environment where athletes and staff can perform at their best. When people feel safe, secure and supported, they're more likely to thrive."
SIA team member Justine Crawford is the Integrity Lead for Glasgow 2026 and said the focus has been on both prevention and preparedness.
"We've been embedded in the Team Management Group throughout the planning process to ensure there is an integrity lens across all decision-making as Team Australia prepares for Glasgow," Ms Crawford said.
A major focus has been education, awareness and prevention. That includes online learning, face-to-face sessions, induction programs and ensuring athletes and team members know where to go for support or to report concerns.
– Justine Crawford, Integrity Lead for Glasgow 2026 and SIA team member
"Our goal is to help create an environment where everyone can have a great Games experience and perform at their best, while ensuring we are ready to respond quickly and transparently if issues arise."
The partnership between CGA, SIA and the AFP reflects a coordinated approach to major event integrity, security and safety planning.
Ms Crawford said collaboration was essential to preparing for an international event of this scale.
"The partnership between CGA, the AFP and SIA is critical. Together we're planning for integrity, safety and security risks and ensuring strong communication and response processes are in place."
SIA has also been working closely with international partners, including UK Anti-Doping (UKAD), Police Scotland and Commonwealth Sport.
SIA team member Hayley Van Arkel has been a member of the UKAD Taskforce established for the Games and will be on the ground as part of the Anti-Doping testing team in Glasgow.
She said extensive pre-Games work has been undertaken to strengthen confidence in clean competition.
"The Taskforce has worked with anti-doping organisations and Commonwealth nations to identify risks and implement testing recommendations before the Games begin," Ms Van Arkel said.
Athletes should feel confident that significant work is being undertaken to ensure they are competing in a clean, fair and safe environment.
– Hayley Van Arkel, member of the UKAD Taskforce and SIA team member
Education remains a cornerstone of integrity preparedness for athletes, support personnel and staff in multi-sport events like the Commonwealth Games.
For the Chef de Mission, the commitment to integrity extends beyond compliance and contributes directly to team culture and performance.
"It's about respect, inclusion and doing things the right way," Ms Thomas said.
"If people are behaving the right way and supporting those around them, it creates a better environment for everyone. That's the kind of culture we want for Team Australia in Glasgow."
Commonwealth Games fever at a high SIA has launched a special 8-part podcast series – From Clean to Gold: Glasgow 2026 – to celebrate our athletes, support personnel and the integrity team working behind the scenes to ensure a positive experience for Team Australia.
Our series explores what it takes to compete clean, safe and fair at one of the world's largest multi-sport events, featuring a range of guests including:
- Chef de Mission, Petria Thomas OLY
- Commonwealth Games Cultural Advisor, Kyle Vander-Kuyp OLY
- Athletes:
- Claudia Marcks and her parents Megan and Gordon (cycling)
- James Reynolds (lawn bowls)
- Sam Fricker OLY (diver)
- Jaydon Page PLY (athletics/sprinter)
- Richard Nicholson PLY (athletics/powerlifting)
- SIA Integrity and Anti-Doping Testing staff who will be on the ground (Justine Crawford and Hayley Van Arkel)
- Those Carter Boys also make an appearance, where we chat about the supporters at home and on the sidelines.