They’re the floor moppers, remote control car drivers, camera divers and unicorn bodyguards who have kept the Glasgow 2026 Games running.
The Commonwealth Games has featured superstar athletes, royalty and pop stars all coming together to celebrate sport.
But there are also thousands of people working and volunteering behind the scenes doing the under-the-radar jobs essential to the success of the event.
Here Brian McIver meets some of the heroes of 2026.
View 5 ImagesField sports equipment buggy controller, Edinburgh born Bob Hammond.(Image: Daily Record)
One of the most popular fixtures has been the long throw recovery vehicle operators – who drive the wee remote control car that ferries hammers, discuses and javelins around the arena.
At the London 2012 Olympics, athletics technical official Bob Hammond was inspired by his first sight of little remote control cars at those Games.
He teamed up with a mechanics expert friend to build a custom RC vehicle that could hold both the weight of the hammer and the pointy end of the javelin, while being able to remain battery powered for a three hour session.
Now, 14 years on, Londoner Bob has done Glasgow and Birmingham Commonwealth Games, the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics as well as major events across Europe and the USA.
And he’s thrilled to be back zooming around the field for Glasgow 2026 with his custom-built carbon fibre vehicles.
He said: “This is just pure enjoyment. Everybody goes, ‘You’ve got the best job in the world’, or ‘I want that job.’”
While Bob and the three-person crew from his firm Novus Models appreciate the fun, their RC job is also a serious business.
Using the cars saves officials from cumulatively walking up to five kilometres back and forward with a 7.26kg hammer during a meet, and also saves 20 minutes of time for the athletes to get on with the sport.
For health and safety, they have fitted special tubes inside the car to properly store the pointy end of the javelins.
Two cars are used during an event, with one spare on hand and a fourth as backup in case of disaster – such as the time a rogue javelin almost impaled one during the Paris Olympics.
Bob, 72, still loves every minute, and added: “It brings a smile to people’s faces and that’s great. You tend to get a big clap as we go around.”
View 5 ImagesFinnie chaperone’s Hayley Crockett(Image: HANDOUT)
One of the other applause magnets throughout the Games has been lovable mascot Finnie.
Hayley Crockett never knew her dream job would be a unicorn wrangler, but she’s been loving every minute of working as a chaperone for the mascot.
The 33 year old volunteer, who usually works in PR, feels like she won the lottery when she was asked to become a mascot chaperone.
Hayley, from Kilwinning, said: “I didn’t even realise that was a possibility, and everyone’s been impressed when I tell them what I do.
“Everyone loves Finnie and they come crowding around us. The athletes are just as excited as the kids to meet her.”
Hayley added: “Finnie’s also full of beans and has lots of great ideas. She’s really cheeky and does silly things. We joke that we are the unicorn wranglers.”
As part of the gig, Hayley also got to greet the royal party before the opening ceremony.
She revealed: “We got Finnie into her kilt and I had the joy of meeting the King. I really can’t believe my luck with that.”
View 5 ImagesNetball mopper Jemma Chalmers(Image: HANDOUT)
Some of the best cheers in the Games have gone to the netball moppers. And for volunteer Jemma Chalmers it’s been one of the best gigs of her life.
The Glasgow-based volunteer has loved netball since she was a wee girl so was thrilled to get a volunteer job helping mop the court at the Hydro this week.
Australian born Jemma, 26, said: “When I found out that the Commonwealth Games were in Glasgow, I thought that it was the perfect opportunity to try something new.
“My role is in the sports equipment team, so part of that is just ensuring the stock for water and Powerade, making sure the court is ready to play before the game starts.
“And then during the games, if the players or umpires feel as though the court needs to be cleaned or mopped, they’ll and call us on.”
The 26-year-old, who works to rewild natural landscapes in Scotland for her day job, was thrilled to play her part in the Games.
She said: “Sometimes the court moppers can get one of the biggest cheers of the game, so it is quite a fun moment. Getting on the court in front of world class international players is quite cool.”
View 5 ImagesExciting footage at the Games has come from camera divers like Simon(Image: HANDOUT)
Some of the most exciting footage of the Games coverage on TNT, BBC Alba and 5 has been the shots from underwater.
Simon Lodge and his team from Under the Water Media have been regularly hopping into the water in wetsuits to check and adjust cameras at Tolcross pool to maintain the crucial equipment.
Simon works across most major swimming events and has seen the technology change beyond recognition in the last 18 years.
“I’ve been doing this since 2008 in Beijing when there was one or two cameras in the water. Now you’ve got VAR, TV cameras and numerous stills cameras.”
Every camera must be adjusted between races as they often shift in the water and must be checked so swimmers are not distracted or impeded.
Simon loves playing his part and is always blown away by the competitors’ athletic ability.
“It’s very rewarding to see the swimmers. These guys have trained so hard for so long and when you see the underwater (footage) and how they propel underwater, it’s incredible.”
After 2014 and 2026, Glasgow has become one of Simon’s favourite places to work.
“I feel like coming home when it’s Glasgow. I wish I could have every event here because the people are so helpful and understanding.”
The final ticket drop is on sale now. Fans are encouraged not to miss out and get their hands on their tickets today, available at glasgow2026.com/tickets
Article continues below
Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google’s preferred sources. Click HERE