Swimming preview: Record books beckon for Chalmers (AUS) and Le Clos (RSA)

Australia will as soon as once more be the workforce to beat in a Swimming programme that boasts extra main medal winners than another sport on the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Competitors will battle it out for 42 Swimming and 14 Para Swimming gold medals, making it the largest-ever pool competitors at a Commonwealth Games, with the Women’s 1500m and Men’s 800m included for the primary time.

Australia topped the medal standings at Birmingham 2022 with 65 medals, 25 of them gold. With the present crop of stars together with Paris 2024 Olympic champions Mollie O’Callaghan, Cam McEvoy and Lani Pallister, they may nicely beat their haul from 4 years in the past.

Reigning 100m Freestyle champion Kyle Chalmers (AUS, pictured) will compete at his third Commonwealth Games in search of so as to add to the seven golds, and 9 medals in complete, he took house from the earlier two editions.

Chalmers has put himself inside hanging distance of the nice Ian Thorpe, who stays Australia’s most-decorated male athlete on the Games with 11 medals claimed throughout Kuala Lumpur 1998 and Manchester 2002.

“I’m definitely well aware where I sit in in that medal count, so it would be an honour to surpass the greatest male that’s ever swum for Australia at a Commonwealth Games,” stated Chalmers, who grew to become a father in August final 12 months.

“It’s more durable now, being away from my daughter after I go to championships. But being with the workforce motivates me. We’re able to one thing actually particular, notably on the opening night time (within the Men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay).

Icing on the cake

Chalmers, who anticipates Glasgow 2026 can be his ultimate Commonwealth Games, stated: “I’ve been able to achieve so many great things in my career and if I’m able to do it (beat Thorpe’s record total), it would be the icing on the cake. But I’m not stressing about it.”

England’s medal hopes will once more be led by three-time Olympic champion Adam Ramsay-Peaty, who made his breakthrough on the worldwide stage at Glasgow 2014.

He gained the Men’s 100m Breaststroke 12 years in the past earlier than defending the title at Gold Coast 2018 and claiming the 50m crown at Birmingham 2022.

“Throughout my career the Commonwealth Games have been the championships where I’ve learned the most,” stated Ramsay-Peaty.

“Hopefully this time we don’t have to learn too much and we can get some incredible results.”

The host nation will hope to be contenders as nicely and the opening night time of competitors might see important Scottish success with Duncan Scott, Faye Rogers and Stephen Clegg all tipped to prime the rostrum.

Another main Scottish contender is Angharad Evans, who clocked one of the best occasions on this planet this 12 months for Women’s 100m and 200m Breaststroke.

“I’m proud but I’m not satisfied,” stated Evans, who claimed European quick course silver final December.

“I preserve eager to develop that assortment and construct extra medals on to it. The Commonwealth Games is the right probability to try this.

“There’s really good competition with the other countries so it’s going to be tough, but I’m ready to step up to the plate and challenge myself and see if I can make Scotland proud.”

Record haul

Other girls to look at embody present Commonwealth champions Kylie Masse (CAN), Lara van Niekerk (RSA) and Elizabeth Dekkers (AUS).

In the Men’s competitors, Chad Le Clos (RSA) is eyeing an excellent finale to his sensible Commonwealth Games profession.

The South African made his Games debut at Delhi 2010 and has gone on to win 18 medals over his 4 campaigns so far. That ties him with the file haul for a male athlete, alongside shooters Mick Gault (ENG) and Phillip Adams (AUS).

Le Clos, 34, bagged seven medals at Glasgow 2014 and stated he’ll draw “inspiration” from that competitors when he returns to Tollcross International Swimming Centre.

“That was an unbelievable event,” Le Clos stated. “Like then, I’ve my dad and mom and a few associates coming to look at me and that can be unbelievable, as a result of to be sincere I don’t want swimming any extra however I find it irresistible a lot and I simply love competing.

“This might be my final Commonwealth Games and I’m pushed by legacy, so I’d be mendacity if I stated that the file wasn’t at the back of my thoughts.

“There’s so much in my career that I’m thankful for, but it’s not over yet. I’m pushing for it (the record) and think I have a shot.”

The Swimming competitors begins on 24 July. For the complete schedule, click on right here.