Ottawa's own Erica Wiebe is heading back to Glasgow — but this time, she won't be stepping onto the wrestling mat. The Stittsville-raised, two-time Commonwealth wrestling gold medallist and Olympic champion has taken on the role of chef de mission for Team Canada at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, bringing her journey full circle in the Scottish city where it all began.
From Competitor to Leader
Wiebe's connection to Glasgow runs deep. Her first taste of the Commonwealth Games came in 2014, when she competed in the same city that's now hosting the 2026 edition. Twelve years later, she's returning not as an athlete chasing gold, but as the person responsible for guiding and supporting Canada's entire delegation through the Games.
As chef de mission, Wiebe takes on a role that blends leadership, logistics, and mentorship — overseeing team welfare, representing Canada at official functions, and serving as the point person for athletes navigating the pressure and chaos of a major international competition. It's a job that draws heavily on her own experience as a competitor who knows exactly what it feels like to walk into that arena.
An Ottawa Wrestling Icon
Wiebe's roots trace back to the Ottawa area, where she got her start in wrestling before rising to become one of Canada's most decorated athletes in the sport. She won Commonwealth gold in both 2014 and 2018, and topped it off with an Olympic gold medal at the Rio 2016 Games — cementing her status as one of the top wrestlers in Canadian history.
For Ottawa sports fans, Wiebe's new role is a reminder of just how much homegrown talent the city has sent onto the world stage. Local wrestling clubs and youth programs in the Ottawa region have long pointed to her career as proof that a kid from the capital can compete — and win — against the best in the world. Her transition into a leadership position now offers a new kind of inspiration, showing that the path doesn't have to end when the competing does.
Coming Full Circle
There's something fitting about Wiebe returning to Glasgow specifically. The city that gave her one of her first major international experiences is now the backdrop for a very different chapter — one where she's responsible for helping the next generation of Canadian athletes have their own breakthrough moments.
Wiebe has spoken about how meaningful it is to return to the same venue where her Commonwealth Games story started, this time in a role focused entirely on supporting others rather than her own performance.
Ottawa residents following the 2026 Commonwealth Games can expect Wiebe to be a visible presence throughout the competition, representing not just Team Canada but also the city that helped shape her into a champion.
Source: CBC Ottawa
