Meet the Aussie athletes with type 1 diabetes competing at the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games
Achieving professional success as an athlete is challenging under the best circumstances. Doing so while managing type 1 diabetes is an even more remarkable accomplishment. Meet the Aussie athletes living with type 1 diabetes who are competing at the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and proving that diabetes doesn’t have to stand in the way of sporting success.
Lachlan Kennedy – sprinter
At just 22 years old, Lachlan Kennedy has cemented his place in Australian sporting history, becoming the fastest Australian in the men’s 100 metres with an impressive time of 9.9 seconds and claiming silver at this year’s Commonwealth Games.
Lachlan was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 15 years old. Rather than seeing it as a setback, he used the diagnosis as motivation to become healthier and more disciplined while managing his blood glucose levels.
“It doesn’t only teach me discipline, but it also teaches me nutrition and how to eat better, rest better, recover better – and I think I’m a better athlete for it,” he told Olympics.com.
Lachlan relies on a continuous glucose monitor to stay on top of his blood glucose levels, but when the starting gun fires, he steps onto the track without his insulin pump.
Now, Lachlan has his sights set on representing Australia at the 2028 LA Summer Olympic Games and then on home soil at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
Lara McSpadden – basketballer
Securing the gold medal on her Commonwealth Games debut in 3×3 basketball, Lara McSpadden is an elite basketballer who hasn’t let her type 1 diabetes stop her from competing at the highest level. Diagnosed at 7 years old, Lara has represented Australia at junior and senior levels and currently plays for the Sydney Uni Flames. Lara uses her platform as an elite athlete to show girls living with type 1 diabetes that reaching the highest levels of sport is possible
She has developed a routine that helps her confidently manage her diabetes during training and on game day.
“I do some things differently to the other girls. At training, I don’t do as much before training – like the gym and the team training – just to conserve my energy for the main training. At games, I don’t do as much in the warm-up just to make sure I have my energy for the game. But other than that, it’s your standard stuff like checking before, during and after.”
Lara says her Dexcom G6 has been a game-changer, with its real-time alerts helping her stay on top of her blood glucose levels at all times.
“The Dexcom G6 has been the biggest help, especially with the trending notifications that it gives me, letting me know if I’m going down, because I wouldn’t know with a tester. It can tell me I’m going down and that, in 10 minutes time, I won’t be able to play unless I eat now. That’s been super helpful, especially for my sport.”
Stephanie Ratcliffe – hammer thrower
Stephanie Ratcliffe has built an impressive career both on and off the field. She has competed for Australia at the 2024 Paris Olympics, earned a neuroscience degree from Harvard, and made her Commonwealth Games debut in Glasgow as a hammer thrower. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at just 6, Stephanie credits the condition with making her a stronger athlete.
She encourages other aspiring athletes living with type 1 diabetes to see diabetes as a friend rather than an obstacle. The Olympic athlete uses an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor to manage her diabetes.
“Try not to ignore it or hide it; it is part of us and something we should be proud to tell the world about, as it has allowed us to become the people we are,” she told Diabetes Victoria.
Sarah Klau – netballer
Chasing another Commonwealth Games gold with the Australian Diamonds, Sarah Klau encountered a new hurdle when she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 24. Now 31, her journey began after a routine checkup revealed slightly raised glucose levels.
Representing Australia at her second Commonwealth Games, Sarah manages her diabetes with precision: eating an hour before games, tracking her glucose during warm-ups, and relying on a continuous glucose monitor to stay on top throughout training and competition.
Embed from Getty Images
Natasha Price – para powerlifter
After a rare neurological disease left her paralysed, Natasha Price found new purpose in sport, rising to represent Australia in para powerlifting at this year’s Commonwealth Games, all while managing type 1 diabetes. Diagnosed at 18, with family members already living with the condition, Natasha has become her own expert, learning how to balance diet and activity to thrive.
She uses an insulin pump and carefully balances training, nutrition and diabetes management as she competes at the highest level.
Embed from Getty Images
These athletes show what’s possible with the right support. If you have questions about managing type 1 diabetes, our Diabetes WA Helpline is here to help. Call 1300 001 880 to speak with one of our health professionals.
