Sibling rivalry is as outdated because the idea of time however Astrid and Ursula Carroll have taken it to a complete new stage on the Commonwealth Games.
The youngsters are each competing at Glasgow 2026 however for various nations, with Astrid lining up in Scotland blue and Ursula representing Team England.
Seventeen-year-old Astrid is the older of the 2, whereas Ursula, 14, is the youngest Team England athlete on the Games.
The sisters have Stargardt illness, a uncommon, inherited eye situation that ends in a progressive lack of central imaginative and prescient.
They prepare collectively at Stockport Metro Swimming Club, however Friday marked the primary time they raced towards one another in competitors.
Lining up subsequent to at least one one other within the girls’s 100m freestyle S13 remaining, Ursula earned the bragging rights by ending sixth with a time of 1:05.24 – 0.14s forward of her sister in seventh.
“The time didn’t reflect the swim I felt, but it was my first Commonwealth final and one of my first big meets,” Ursula mentioned.
“But it’s been a extremely superb expertise and one thing that I wouldn’t normally do, particularly at such a excessive stage, so it’s been superb.
“We’ve raced subsequent to one another earlier than however by no means in direct competitors, so it was positively a bit weird being in direct competitors primarily based on time.
“It was a bit surreal however in the end fairly good!
“It definitely pushes us on and helps us get the best out of each other – there are a lot of mini competitions with each other which definitely helps.”
Carroll earned choice with a robust efficiency on the Swim England Winter Nationals in December 2025, when she set a brand new European report within the S13 200m particular person medley.
Astrid usually competes within the S12 class, whereas Ursula competes in S13.
“It was quite close on that one, but it’s such a good environment and rivalry – it’s such a funny one and I love it so much,” Astrid added.
“I think she pushes me on more than I push her on, but she’s such an amazing training partner, to always catch up to. It’s such a nice benchmark to have.”
Charlie Bennett/Sportsbeat 2026