2026 Commonwealth Games: Day 3 Prelims Live Recap

2026 COMMONWEALTH GAMES

• July 24th – July 29th 2026 (pool swimming)
• Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Glasgow, Scotland
• LCM (50m)
• All the Links
• SwimSwam’s Official Preview Index
• Entries
• Prelims Recaps: Day 1 | Day 2
• Finals Recaps: Day 1 | Day 2
• Live Results

Day three of the 2026 Commonwealth Games is upon us, which means this morning’s heats session will see the events of the women’s 100m free, slowest 1500m free prelim and the 100m fly. The men’s agenda includes the 50m breast, 200m back and 4x200m free relay.

Australia has the chance to put its stamp on more potential hardware, carrying a powerhouse of talent into the Tollcross International Swimming Centre today.

Olympians Meg Harris, Shayna Jack and defending gold medalist Mollie O’Callaghan will kick things off in the 1free, where they will jockey for position against the likes of England’s Freya Anderson and Eva Okaro, South Africa’s Aimee Canny and Wales’ Theodora Taylor

The 100m fly will see Aussies Brittany Castelluzzo, Elizabeth Dekkers and Alex Perkins pitted against England’s Emily Richards and South African Erin Gallagher,

On the men’s side, Australian world champion Sam Williamson is among the top contenders in the 50m breaststroke, battling reigning World Record holder and Commonwealth Games champion Adam Ramsay-Peaty of England.

Peaty’s teammate Max Morgan and Jersey’s Filip Nowacki are also in the mix, as is Scottish ace Archie Goodburn and South African Michael Houlie, the man who already nailed a new Games Record in this event from the first half of his 100m breaststroke semi-final.

Finally, in the men’s 200m back, rising star Henry Allan of the green and gold will do his best to prevent a potential discipline sweep by Pieter Coetze of South Africa.

Olympic medalist Luke Greenbank and teammate Ollie Morgan have designs on the podium, however, as does Scotland’s Matthew Ward.

WOMEN’S 100 FREESTYLE – HEATS

• World Record – 51.68, Marrit Steenbergen (NED), 2026
• Commonwealth Record – 51.96, Emma McKeon (AUS), 2021
• Commonwealth Games Record – 52.27, Bronte Campbell (AUS), 2018
• 2022 Champion – Mollie O’Callaghan (AUS), 52.63

Top 16:

1. Meg Harris (AUS) – 53.91
2. Mollie O’Callaghan (AUS) – 54.37
3. Theodora Taylor (WAL) – 54.80
4. Evelyn Davis (SCO) – 54.81
5. Zoe Pedersen (NZL) – 55.18
6. Grace Davison (NIR) – 55.21
7. Eva Okaro (ENG) – 55.24
8. Freya Anderson (ENG) – 55.25
9. Shayna Jack (AUS) – 55.28
10. Leah Schlosshan (ENG) – 55.30
11. Olivia Nel (RSA) – 55.32
12. Emma Wood (SCO) – 55.35
13. Joanna Evans (BAH) – 55.53
14. Caitlin de Lange (RSA) – 55.74
15. Anahira McCutcheon (FIJ) – 55.78
16. Sophie Davies (WAL) – 55.83

Nothing too crazy transpired in the heats of the women’s 100m freestyle as it took just 55.83 to make it into the top 16 for tonight’s semi-finals.

Olympic medalist Meg Harris reaped the top spot in a time of 53.91 as the sole swimmer of the field to delve under the 54-second barrier.

Teammate Mollie O’Callaghan secured the 2nd slot in 54.37, with Welsh teenager Theodora Taylor also very much in the mix with 54.80.

Lurking further down the line are Freya Anderson of England and Shayna Jack 0f Australia, who are sitting as the respective 8th and 9th seeds.

Harris, MOC and Jack were all on the gold medal-winning women’s 4x100m freestyle relay on day one of these Games, with Harris leading off in 53.07, Jack ripping 52.64 and MOC delivering an anchor of 52.81.

MOC’s split was especially impressive given the fact that the 22-year-old Olympic champion revealed earlier this month she is suffering from a stress fracture in her back, yet is still racing here and at the Pan Pacific Championships.

As a refresher, Jack has made it known she will be retiring after this competition, so look for her to do her best to capture an individual title either in this event or the 50m free.

And, don’t count out Taylor, as the versatile 17-year-old set a Welsh record of 54.14 leading off her squad’s 4x100m free relay and crushed a big-time 52.63 on the mixed free relay last night.

MOC was the champion in this event in 2022 in a time of 52.63, with Jack scoring silver in Birmingham in 52.88. Retired Olympic icon Emma McKeon, the most decorated Commonwealth Games athlete in history, hit 52.94 for bronze. The Aussies have a chance to repeat the sweep with Harris, MOC and Jack all comfortably moving on to the next round.

Already this season, MOC has been as swift as 52.33 to rank 3rd in the world, Harris posted 52.56 to rank 5th and Jack’s season-best 52.96 ranks her 8th worldwide.

A surprise no-show came in the form of South Africa’s Aimee Canny. She has indeed been in the pool here, racing in her nation’s 4x100m free relay on day one where she led off in 54.40 to help establish a new relay national record,

MEN’S 50 BREASTSTROKE – HEATS

• World Record – 25.95, Adam Peaty (GBR), 2017
• Commonwealth Record – 25.95, Adam Peaty (GBR), 2017
• Commonwealth Games Record – 26.38, Michael Houlie (RSA), 2026
• 2022 Champion – Adam Peaty (ENG), 26.76

Top 16:

1. Michael Houlie (RSA) – 26.53
2. Sam Williamson (AUS) – 26.75
3. Ronan Wantenaar (NAM) – 27.13
4. Chris Smith (RSA) – 27.17
5. Adam Ramsay-Peaty (ENG) – 27.27
6. Filip Nowacki (JEY) – 27,29
7. Archie Goodburn (SCO) – 27.38
8. Oliver Dawson (CAN) – 27.47
9. Adam Bradley (NIR) – 27.57
10. Jadon Wuilliez (ANT) – 27.69
11. Max Morgan (ENG) – 27.74
12. Adrian Robinson (BOT) – 27.87
13. Kyle Booth (WAL) – 28.05
14. Bailey Lello (AUS) – 28.06
15. Kito Campbell (JAM) – 28.11 & Samuel Yalimaiwai (FIJ), 28.11
16. –

Two men cleared the 27-second threshold this morning in the heats of the 50m breast, with newly minted Commonwealth Games record holder Michael Houlie of South Africa and Sam Williamson of Australia leading the way.

The former touched in 26.53 to the latter’s mark of 26.75, with Namibia’s Ronan Wantenaar not too terribly far off in a 3rd-seeded 27.13. Wantenaar swam a lifetime best of 26.85 at last year’s World Championships.

Houlie has already broken the Games record in this event, blasting out to a 26.38 on his opening 50 in the semi-finals of the 100 breast on the first day of competition. He was slightly slower last night, touching in 26.57 as he placed 7th in 1:00.35.

Both Houlie and Williamson are already faster than what it took Adam Ramsay-Peaty to top the podium four years ago, with the Englishman grabbing gold then in 26.76 and Williamson snagging silver in 26.97.

After an emotional post-race interview following his 100m breaststroke bronze, Ramsay-Peaty landed the 5th seed this morning in 27.27.

South Africa’s Chris Smith is situated slightly ahead of Peaty in a time of 27.17, but he enters this competition ranked 8th in the world due to the 26.68 he produced at the South African Senior Championships this past April.

Archie Goodburn of Scotland put up a time of 27.38 for the 7th seed, continuing to inspire as he battles inoperable brain tumors.

WOMEN’S 1500 FREESTYLE – SLOWEST HEAT

• World Record – 15:20.48, Katie Ledecky (USA), 2018
• Commonwealth Record – 15:39.14, Lani Pallister (AUS), 2025
• Commonwealth Games Record – Not Established
• 2022 Champion – N/A

Results:

1. Kyra Rabess (CAY) – 17:12.27
2. Sarah Sim (SGP) – 17:22.06
3. Clara Ginnis (JEY) – 17:36.94
4. Hannah Sterry (JEY) – 17:41.15
5. Harper Barrowman (CAY) – 17:55.90

MEN’S 200 BACKSTROKE – HEATS

• World Record – 1:51.92, Aaron Peirsol (USA), 2009
• Commonwealth Record – 1:53.17, Mitch Larkin (AUS), 2015
• Commonwealth Games Record – 1:55.58, James Goddard (ENG), 2010
• 2022 Champion – Brodie Williams (ENG), 1:56.40

Top 8:

1. Luke Greenbank (ENG) – 1:58.05
2. Pieter Coetze (RSA) – 1:58.48
3. Ollie Morgan (ENG) – 1:58.68
4. Se-Bom Lee (AUS) – 1:58.82
5. Henry Allan (AUS) – 1:59.34
6. Benjamin Loewen (CAN) – 2:00.77
7. Jack Skerry (ENG) – 2:01.11
8. Isaac Thompson (JEY) – 2:03.66

The men’s 200m backstroke field played it cool this morning, with just 5 swimmers dipping beneath the 2:00 barrier.

England’s Olympic medalist Luke Greenbank produced the quickest result in 1:58.05, with Pieter Coetze of South Africa, last night’s 50m back champion, logging 1:58.48.

Ollie Morgan of England, who finished with the 50m back silver behind Coetze yesterday, turned in a mark of 1:58.68, with Aussies Se-Bom Lee and Henry Allan registering respective efforts of 1:58.82 and 1:59.34.

The top trio this morning all enter these Games ranked among the top 20 200m backstrokers on the planet this season. Coetze owns a season-best of 1:55.26 to rank 3rd, Morgan’s time of 1:55.86 situates him 11th and Greenbank’s outing of 1:56.01 from April positions him 14th in the rankings.

22-year-old Coetze is the sole swimmer from 2022’s podium racing here, with the field this time around missing champion Brodie Williams of England and runner-up Bradley Woodward of Australia.

Scotland’s newly minted 50m backstroke national record holder Matthew Ward was a no-show this morning.

WOMEN’S 100 BUTTERFLY – HEATS

• World Record – 54.33, Gretchen Walsh (USA), 2026
• Commonwealth Record – 55.59, Maggie MacNeil (CAN), 2021
• Commonwealth Games Record – 56.36, Maggie MacNeil (CAN), 2022
• 2022 Champion – Maggie MacNeil (CAN), 56.36

Top 16:

1. Brittany Castelluzzo (AUS) – 57.91
2. Keanna MacInnes (SCO) – 57.93
3. Ciara Schlosshan (SCO) – 58.13
4. Lucy Grieve (SCO) – 58.29 & Alex Perkins (AUS) – 58.29
5. –
6. Erin Gallagher (RSA) – 58.77
7. Emily Richards (ENG) – 59.13
8. Lizzy Dekkers (AUS) – 59.31
9. Hazel Ouwehand (NZL) – 1:00.33
10. Alana Burns-Atkin (NIR) – 1:00.56
11. Emma Harvey (BER) – 1:00.65
12. Lucy Fox (ENG) – 1:00.66
13. Dune Coetzee (RSA) – 1:01.02
14. Jessica Calderbank (JAM) – 1:01.34
15. Imara-Bella Patricia Thorpe (KEN) – 1:02.35
16. Sierrah Broadbelt (CAY) – 1:02.59

25-year-old World Championshps gold medalist Brittany Castelluzzo of Australia wasted no time staking her claim on this women’s 100m butterfly, producing a speedy mark of 57.91 to lead the pack.

That time represents the 3rd-best time of the Aussie’s career, one which boasts a lifetime best of 57.80 from the 2024 Olympic Trials.

Scottish national record holder Keanna MacInnes was also in the sub-58 zone, delivering an outing of 57.93 to chase Castelluzzo in tonight’s semi-finals. MacInnes’ record stands at the 57.57 notched at the Aquatics GB Championships this past April, so the 24-year-old is already within range of potentially doing damage to that benchmark.

Lucy Grieve delivered a time of 58.29 to tie the 50m fly champion already here Alex Perkins of Australia.

The 50m fly silver and bronze medalists, Erin Gallagher of South Africa (58,77) and Hazel Ouwehand of New Zealand (1:00.33) also comfortably made it into tonight’s semi-finals.

We know the podium will look entirely different than that of 2022, with the medalists Maggie MacNeil of Canada, McKeon and Brianna Throssell of Australia all having since hung up their goggles.

MEN’S S9 100 BACKSTROKE – HEATS

• World Record – 59.72, Simone Barlaam (ITA), 2022
• Commonwealth Games Record – 1:01.88, Timothy Hodge (AUS), 2022
• 2022 Champion – Timothy Hodge (AUS), 1:01.88

Top 8:

1. Liam Togher (AUS) – 1:06.04
2. Harrison Vig (AUS) – 1:06.28
3. Timothy Hodge (AUS) – 1:06.40
4. Barry McClements (NIR) – 1:07.30
5. Sam Downie (SCO) – 1:09.72
6. Reid Maxwell (CAN) – 1:10.31
7. Christian Sadie (RSA) – 1:15.32
8. Antwahn Boyce-Vaughan (BAR) – 2:07.56

WOMEN’S S9 100 BACKSTROKE – HEATS

• World Record – 1:07.41, Sophie Pascoe (NZL), 2019
• Commonwealth Games Record – 1:08.77, Alice Tai (ENG), 2018
• 2022 Champion – Alice Tai (ENG), 1:13.64

Top 8:

1. Gemma Sellick (AUS) – 1:15.38
2. Victoria Belando Nicholson (AUS) – 1:15.79
3. Brooklyn Hale (ENG) – 1:15.91
4. Jasmin Fullgrabe (AUS) – 1:16.48
5. Alice Tai (ENG) – 1:16.77
6. Isabella Haynes (ENG) – 1:17.28
7. Meghan Willis (WAL) – 1:17.82
8. Toni Shaw (SCO) – 1:17.83

MEN’S 4×200 FREESTYLE RELAY – HEATS

• World Record – 6:58.55, USA, 2009
• Commonwealth Record – 7:00.85, Australia, 2019
• Commonwealth Games Record – 7:04.96, Australia, 2022
• 2022 Champion – Australia, 7:04.96

Top 8:

1. Australia – 7:08.66
2. Scotland – 7:17.18
3. England – 7:18.13
4. Wales – 7:35.05
5. Malaysia – 7:39.38
6. India – 7:39.48
7. Jersey – 7:40.99
8. Cayman Islands – 7:48.64

There were no surprises in the men’s 4x200m free relay, even with Canada’s ‘DNS’.

The nation of Australia was the fastest by a mile, with the combination of William Petric (1:47.31), Brendon Smith (1:48.09), Elijah Winnington (1:47.10) and Ed Sommerville (1:46.16) comfortably putting up a time of 7:08.66 to land lane four for tonight’s main event.

Scotland was next, albeit over 8 seconds back, with Ward appearing in this after bypassing the 200m back to post 1:48.98 on the 3rd leg.

England, too, was very safely through in 7:18.13, with 3rd leg Jacob Mills‘ split of 1:48.47 representing the quickest on the team.