First published 22 July 2026
Nine QUT student-athletes have arrived in Glasgow for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, which kick off on July 23.
The students will compete across swimming, athletics, para athletics, gymnastics and netball.
Eight of the young athletes are representing Australia, with international health student Loane Russet also taking to the pool for Vanuatu.
They include Dolphins multi-medal favourite Sam Short and rising 50m star Jamie Jack.
The 11-day XXIII Commonwealth Games (July 23-August 2) is being held in Glasgow with a scaled-back program of 10 sports due to the event being relocated to Scotland after Melbourne withdrew as host city.
The nine QUT students competing at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, and their courses and sports, are:
- Monique Hanlon, Bachelor of Medical Imaging (Honours), athletics (200m, 4x100m relay)
- James Hardy, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), artistic gymnastics
- Reece Holder, Bachelor of Urban Development (Honours), athletics (400m)
- Jamie Jack, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) / Bachelor of Mathematics, swimming (50m freestyle)
- Cara Koenen, Graduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound, netball
- Ullrich Muller, Bachelor of Information Technology, para athletics (100m)
- Sam Short, Bachelor of Business, swimming (200m, 400m, 800m & 1500m freestyles)
- Edward Sommerville, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), swimming
- Loane Russet (Vanuatu), Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science, swimming (50m freestyle & breaststroke, 100m freestyle)
Experienced Australian representative and QUT psychology and business student Tommy Neill also made the national swim team for Glasgow but unfortunately had to withdraw on the eve of the games due to hand injury he sustained this week at the team’s training base in Germany.
The students are all part of the QUT Elite Sport Program, which provides practical support for elite athletes and sports officials who are combining training, competition and study.
QUT’s Director of Sport, Rosa Boyd, said the university community would be watching the students’ progress in Glasgow with excitement and pride.
"Our student athletes continue to demonstrate what can be achieved through commitment, discipline and determination,” she said.
“Balancing university studies with the demands of elite sport is no small feat, and we are incredibly proud to see them representing their countries at the Commonwealth Games.
“We wish them all the very best and look forward to celebrating their achievements throughout the Games.”
Three of the QUT students competing in Scotland also represented their countries at the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games (Reece Holder, Sam Short and Loane Russet).
And Cara Koenen was part of the Australian Diamonds 2022 Commonwealth Games netball team that claimed the gold medal and will be hoping for a repeat of their Birmingham success.
QUT engineering and math student and 50m specialist Jamie Jack will be making his debut with the Dolphins in Glasgow.
His team-mates will include his older sister Shayna Jack, who will be competing in her final Commonwealth Games after announcing her post-games retirement last week.
QUT is a gold member of the Australian Institute of Sport’s Elite Sport Education Network (ESEN) and offers a range of support and scholarships through its QUT Elite Sport Program.
Athletes can find out more about the program, scholarships and the university’s elite sport entry scheme at the QUT Open Day this Sunday, July 26.
Main photo at top, left to right: Ullrich Muller, Loane Russet, James Hardy, Monique Hanlon and Ed Sommerville.
Inset photos, from top: Sam Short, Jamie Jack, Reece Holder and Cara Koenen. (Cara's photo courtesy of Sunshine Coast Lightning)
Media contact: Mechelle McMahon, QUT media officer, media@qut.edu.au
