2026 COMMONWEALTH GAMES
- July 24th – July 29th 2026 (pool swimming)
- Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Glasgow, Scotland
- LCM (50m)
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- SwimSwam’s Official Preview Index
- Entries
- Prelims Recaps: Day 1
- Finals Recaps: Day 1
- Live Results
Day one of the 2026 Commonwealth Games unfolded yesterday from the storied Tollcross International Swimming Centre, with multiple Games and national records biting the dust to get the party started.
Among the medalists was 34-year-old veteran Chad le Clos, with the South African joining teammates Pieter Coetze, Guy Brooks, and Ruard van Renen in capturing bronze behind winner Australia and runner-up England in the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay.
Although they didn’t snag the top spot, the relay made history for Olympic champion le Clos, as he now becomes the most decorated male Commonwealth Games athlete in history.
We reported prior to the competition that le Clos was on the brink of establishing this record, entering the meet with a remarkable 18 Commonwealth Games medals since 2010. That shared the same total for a male with shooters Phillip Adams of Australia and Mick Gault of England.
However, with his bronze, le Clos now stands alone with 19 Games medals, with the competition only just getting started.
You can see how emotional a milestone this is for le Clos in the video shown beneath the day one medal table below.
Le Clos is only 1 medal behind the all-time Commonwealth Games medal leader Emma McKeon who has a record 20 medals.
McKeon also holds the record for CG gold medals (14). That record looks safe for now.
I always like Le Clos. He wears his heart on his sleeve.
Fantastic achievements by le Clos especially since SAF lacks depth to afford him consistent relay medals.