By: Madi Senghore
Gambian sprint star Gina Mariam Bass Bittaye made a successful return to major international competition by reaching the women’s 100 metres semi-finals at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games following her maternity break.
Bass, one of Africa’s leading sprinters, returned to competition after taking time away from athletics to embrace motherhood, marking her comeback with a strong performance for Team Gambia.
Competing at Scotstoun Stadium, the Gambian athlete progressed from the opening round of the women’s 100m after producing a composed performance to qualify for the semi-finals.
In the semi-final, Bass clocked 11.29 seconds but narrowly missed out on a place in the final.
Despite her elimination, the performance underscored the resilience and determination of the Gambian sprinter as she returned to elite competition after an extended absence from the track.
Bass remains one of The Gambia’s most accomplished athletes, having won multiple international medals and represented the country at the Olympic Games, World Athletics Championships and previous Commonwealth Games.
Her performance in Glasgow provides encouragement as she continues her return to competitive athletics ahead of future international competitions.