Commonwealth Games bowler Mary Stevenson has died just a couple of months after winning a gold medal for Scotland at Glasgow 2026, where her winning throw earned her the moniker Mary Queen of Shots. Competing just a few weeks before her 74th birthday, Stevenson became the oldest member of Team Scotland and the oldest female gold medallist in her country's history as she won the Para Mixed Pairs B2-B3 alongside Robert Barr, Sarah Jane Ewing and Jim Aitken.

Bowls Scotland stated on Facebook: "Only last weekend, she was back competing for Scotland and in great form. It is difficult to believe she is no longer with us." A retired chauffeur from Paisley, Stevenson only started playing bowls in 2013 at the age of 61. When her sight began to deteriorate, she thought she would have to give up the sport until she was introduced to the Blind Bowlers.

Commonwealth Games Scotland chief executive Jon Doig said: "I was privileged to witness Mary winning her gold medal in Glasgow this summer. She was an inspiration to so many and will be greatly missed." Team Scotland chef de mission Elinor Middlemiss added: "Mary had a quiet determination about her... To win gold alongside her team-mates was a fantastic moment for Mary and the whole team."