Australian athletes urged not to wear uniform on Glasgow streets amid safety concerns

Members of the Australian athletics team have been told not to wear their uniforms during training runs through Glasgow due to concerns for their safety.

The warning comes after one runner came across the scene of a murder in the east end.

According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, middle-distance runner Ollie Hoare was on a training run on Friday afternoon when he ran onto Burgher Street, where Paul McMinigal had been found seriously injured.

The 44-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene, and a murder investigation has been launched.

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Emergency services were called to a man found with serious injuries on Burgher Street around 3pm on Friday.

The report also cites violent scenes at an anti-immigration rally in the city centre as a cause for concern.

Police responded to disorder, violence, intimidation and hate-motivated offences on Saturday afternoon following planned demonstrations involving around 1,700 people at Glasgow Green.

The disorder involving a group of approximately 100 people then moved into the city centre, and officers sealed off Oswald Street.

Police have made 15 arrests so far in relation to a variety of offences, including assault, possession of offensive weapons, breach of the peace, obstruction and resisting arrest.

The incidents have led Australian athletics team management to warn athletes, especially those who jog from the team hotel through the streets for training, to only jog in groups and not to wear the green and gold team strip to avoid drawing attention, according to the newspaper.

An Australian team spokesperson said: “We are working closely with Glasgow 2026 to ensure the safety of our athletes, coaches and officials, as well as their family and friends, at the Games.”

The Commonwealth Games and Australia’s chef de mission have been contacted for comment.