Australian middle-distance runner Olli Hoare passed the aftermath of a fatal knife attack while on a Commonwealth Games training run in Glasgow on Friday afternoon. The incident happened in Burgher Street, in the east end of the city, about 15:00 on Friday, and police said Paul McMinigal, 44, was discovered in a close and pronounced dead at the scene.
The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that Australian athletes have since been asked to train in small groups and not to run in the nation's distinctive green and yellow team uniform. However, BBC Scotland News has been told this advice is standard protocol at championships and not a Glasgow-specific request.
Despite the scare, it is understood the runaway medal table leaders, external have no safety concerns.
A Team Australia spokesman said:
We are working closing with Glasgow 2026 to ensure the safety of our athletes, coaches and officials, as well as their family and friends, at the Games.
Our regular Games security briefings are keeping us comprehensively informed on potential risks across the city, and we're sharing applicable information with Team Members to ensure their awareness and safety.
Officials spoke to Hoare to check on his wellbeing and said there were no ongoing issues.
The middle-distance runner will line up in the mile event at Scotstoun Stadium on Saturday against a trio of Scottish medal hopes. New world record holder Josh Kerr will start as favourite for gold but he will face competition from former 1500m world champion Jake Wightman and Neil Gourley, who has world and European indoor 1500m medals to his name.
Australian track sensation Cameron Myers, external - who ran the fastest 1500m by an under-21, in July - will also compete in the event.
What happened in Glasgow?
An Australian athlete passed a murder scene while on a Commonwealth Games training run in Glasgow. Olli Hoare witnessed the aftermath of a fatal knife attack, which happened in Burgher Street, in the east end of the city, about 15:00 on Friday.
Who was found dead at the scene?
Police Scotland said Paul McMinigal, 44, was discovered in a close and pronounced dead at the scene. The image of Paul McMinigal is included in the article because his death is central to the incident under investigation.
What advice have Australian athletes been given?
The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that Australian athletes have since been asked to train in small groups and not to run in the nation's distinctive green and yellow team uniform. However BBC Scotland News has been told this advice is standard protocol at championships and not a Glasgow-specific request.
Are there safety concerns for Team Australia?
Despite the scare, it is understood the runaway medal table leaders, external have no safety concerns. Officials spoke to Hoare to check on his wellbeing and said there were no ongoing issues.
What has Team Australia said?
A Team Australia spokesman said the organisation is working with Glasgow 2026 to ensure the safety of athletes, coaches and officials, as well as their family and friends, at the Games. The spokesman also said regular Games security briefings are keeping the team informed about potential risks across the city and that relevant information is being shared with team members to support their awareness and safety.
When will Hoare compete next?
The middle-distance runner will line up in the mile event at Scotstoun Stadium on Saturday against a trio of Scottish medal hopes. New world record holder Josh Kerr will start as favourite for gold but will face competition from former 1500m world champion Jake Wightman and Neil Gourley, who has world and European indoor 1500m medals to his name.
Australian track sensation Cameron Myers, external - who ran the fastest 1500m by an under-21 in July - will also compete in the event.
Key Facts
- The incident happened in Burgher Street, Glasgow, about 15:00 on Friday.
- Police Scotland said Paul McMinigal, 44, was pronounced dead at the scene.
- Olli Hoare was on a Commonwealth Games training run when he passed the aftermath.
- Australian athletes have been told to train in small groups and avoid running in team uniform, though BBC Scotland News says this is standard protocol.
- Hoare is due to compete in the mile at Scotstoun Stadium on Saturday.
