Damian Warner makes return to Glasgow for Commonwealth Games with gold in sight

It's a full-circle moment of sorts for Damian Warner.

The London, Ont., native is back for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, 12 years after winning decathlon gold at the same multi-sport event in the same city. Warner's resume carried a lot less weight back then — he has since won Olympic gold, three more world championship medals and a few more national titles.

"It's a really cool thing. I think if you would have asked me in 2014 if I would still be going in 2026, I'm not sure I would have believed it," he said. "But at the same time, I'm just super grateful that I'm still able to continue doing this sport and continue to compete at a high level.

"It's been a really good journey. And to go back to Glasgow from 2014, which I have really good memories from, I'm pretty excited. I'll have my family with me this time, which is a little bit of a change, but I'm just looking forward to it."

Athletics competition begins Monday at EDF Scotstoun Stadium, with the two-day decathlon getting underway Thursday.

Warner is among several Canadian stars going to the event, including Olympic and world champion hammer throwers Ethan Katzberg and Camryn Rogers, sprinter Andre De Grasse and star shot putter Sarah Mitton. The number of high-profile athletes in Glasgow comes in a season without a regular outdoor world championships, which will wait until next season with the Olympics to follow in 2028.

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But for Warner, it isn't just being in search of high-level decathlon competition. It's also the desire to rebound from the last couple of years with gold and show he's still in the conversation of best decathlete in the world.

The 36-year-old pulled out of the Olympics