Glasgow 2014 - Commonwealth Games Sports Guide: Swimming

By Steven Oldham

Click HERE for Commonwealth Games homepage

Swimming is an original Commonwealth sport and has not missed any edition to date since the first British Empire Games in 1930.

It is also the sole mandatory aquatic sport at the Games. Diving and synchronised swimming are optional, while water polo is only a recognised sport and can not yet be included in the Games.

The sport has grown into one of the event's biggest draws in terms of spectators, media coverage and TV viewing figures.

WHEN?

Swimming takes place in the first half of the Games, from July 24-29.

WHERE?

All action in the pool happens at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre, in Glasgow's East end. The facility has been upgraded for the Games, with a new 50m six-lane pool for training and warm ups, in addition to the existing 10-lane 50m competition pool.

Part of Glasgow 2014's legacy will be a world-class aquatics facility for both professionals and the public, and an opportunity to bid for further world-class events.

WHO?

Australia have made the biggest splash, taking home the most swimming medals since the Commonwealths began. They kept this trend going four years ago in Delhi, claiming a massive 54 medals, with 22 of those gold. To put that into context, South Africa and England were next best and claimed 7 wins.

Alicia Coutts ended the Games as the most successful athlete across all sports, with golds in five events both individually and in two team relays. She went on to win five medals at London 2012, including relay gold in the 4 x 100m freestyle. She's back for more this year but repeating her Indian exploits will be tough.

The Australians dominated the women's events but the men's competitions were more evenly fought, with Canada, England and South Africa sharing 13 gold medals from an available 22.

The last Commonwealths also gave the world it's first glimpse of Chad le Clos. The South African went on to win both Olympic gold and become world champion, but his first major titles came in Delhi. He won the 200m butterfly and 400m medley and set new Games records in both disciplines. Who will follow in le Clos' footsteps this summer and become swimming's next breakthrough star?

Top young talent from across the Commonwealth will be on display in Glasgow, but reigning champions including Liam Tancock (England), Hannah Miley (Scotland), Ryan Cochrane (Canada) and Cameron van der Burgh (South Africa) will be looking to keep the younger swimmers firmly in check.

LET ME SOUND LIKE I KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT...

• Para-sport events for both men and women are included in the swimming programme - look out for London 2012 heroine Ellie Simmonds
• Medley events include all four standard swimming strokes - breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly and freestyle.
• Open water swimming doesn't appear on the Commonwealth programme.  
• Race distances last from just 50m up to 1500m.
• Such is the dominance of the likes of Australia, Canada and England, only 11 countries have ever medalled in swimming at the Commonwealths.

CAN I STILL BUY TICKETS?

Yes, newly released tickets are available but in limited supply. See here.

Can South Africa's Chad le Clos win more Commonwealth titles? (rnw.nl)