Bennett eyes Glasgow farewell after life-changing ADHD diagnosis

After a "life-changing" ADHD diagnosis, Scottish hammer thrower Chris Bennett says this summer's Commonwealth Games in his home city of Glasgow would be the "perfect ending" to his career after coming out of retirement.

The 36-year-old has put himself in a strong position to be selected for the Games, having already achieved the qualifying standard three times.

Bennett, who is targeting what would be his fourth Commonwealth, returned to the sport six months ago after two years away following a decision to retire in late 2023.

"I definitely needed a mental break " he says. "I always suspected I had some form of neurodiverse condition just because of the way I think.

"I have always struggled with my mental health and sport has always been the place where that has reared its head. I would always think it was stress, anxiety or depression but it is just the way my brain deals with information."

Within a year of putting his hammer away, 2016 Olympian Bennett was diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).

"That was the first time I thought 'I now actually understand why I tick the way I tick'," he adds. "It has been life-changing. It helps me understand why I think the way I do and helps me notice the red flags, before the massive red flags.

"I am more accepting of myself and I give myself a lot more credit now. Rather than being harsh and angry with myself after a competition for two or three weeks, I now allow myself an hour.

"I am quite fortunate. I am complaining about how far a metal ball goes - there are more things to life than that, so I am a lot more accepting of myself."

The fact Bennett is in the mix for Glasgow 2026 is all the more impressive given his recent return to the sport. And, if selected, he will be taking a philosophical outlook in to this summer's Games.

"I really don't care how I do and that sounds strange because the last three Commonwealth Games I have been like 'I want a medal, I want to do this, I want to throw this far'.

"Maybe that's actually why I am able to throw far at the minute because I just don't care. I compete on July 27 and when I get up on July 28, the world is still going to be the same."

Having been lured back to the throwing circle for Glasgow, Bennett says getting the chance to shine at Scotstoun would be the ideal place to bring the curtain down on his long career.

"Not many people get to dictate the ending of their sporting career, but I do," he says. "I was born in Glasgow, I grew up two miles from Scotstoun, my first ever athletics competition was there... so to get to have my last ever event there in front of my friends and family and go out on my terms will be the perfect ending."