As the 2026 Commonwealth Games get underway in Glasgow, a familiar face has returned to the multi-sport spectacular — but this time, Makeba Alcide is not stepping onto the field of play to compete. The decorated former athlete from Saint Lucia is serving the games in an entirely new capacity: as a voting member of the Commonwealth Sports Athlete Advisory Commission (AAC), and one of the official flagbearers for the body during Thursday’s opening ceremony held at the OVO Hydro.
Alcide’s connection to elite Commonwealth sport runs deep. Crowned Saint Lucia’s 2013 Sportswoman of the Year, she is a three-sport athlete who has represented her home nation at the highest levels in athletics, netball, and rugby. A graduate of the University of Arkansas, she rose to global prominence as a world-class combined events competitor, and still holds multiple national records in track and field from her competitive career. She previously competed in the heptathlon at the 2014 Commonwealth Games — an event that was also hosted in Glasgow, bringing her career full circle 12 years later.
Since retiring from elite competition, Alcide has pivoted seamlessly into sports leadership and advocacy. After building experience as a coach, she was elected as the Caribbean regional delegate to the AAC in 2024. She currently holds the position of vice-president at the Saint Lucia Athletics Association (SLAA), and previously served as chairperson of the Saint Lucia Athletes’ Commission. In 2022, she further honed her leadership skills by completing the World Athletics Pilot Mentorship Course, graduating with top honors and earning certification as an official World Athletics mentor.
In her role on the AAC, Alcide’s core mission is to elevate the voices and protect the interests of athletes across the Caribbean region. She contributes to key discussions and policy shaping across a range of critical issues for the Commonwealth Sport Movement, including athlete welfare, safe sport frameworks, greater inclusion in sport, maintaining competitive integrity, and expanding athlete representation in governance.
A statement released by the SLAA praised Alcide’s new appointment, noting that her selection as an AAC flagbearer is a well-deserved recognition of her exceptional leadership, longstanding dedication to athlete advocacy, and unwavering commitment to growing and improving sport across the entire Commonwealth.
For the 2026 Glasgow Games, the official Saint Lucia delegation is made up of a small three-member team of competing athletes. Khailan Vitalis is set to contest the men’s 110m hurdles on the first Monday of competition, while Michael Joseph and Marvric Pamphile will compete in the men’s 400m heats the following day. Helena Renee, the team’s leader, served as flagbearer for the official Saint Lucia delegation as the only team representative present for Thursday’s opening ceremony.