Swimming at the Commonwealth Games
Swimming is an extremely popular recreational and competitive sport within the Commonwealth, and is always one of the highlights of the Commonwealth Games program. Swimming is one of the compulsory Commonwealth Games sports, and has been on every Games program since the first in 1930.
swimming medal ceremony at the XII Commonwealth Games, Brisbane (image: Queensland State Archives)2026 Swimming Competition
The competition includes events for men and women over 50m, 100m and 200m in Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly. There is also a 400m Freestyle for both men and women, 800m (women) and 1500m (men) Freestyle events. The 200m and 400m Individual Medley and the 4x100m and 4x200m Freestyle and 4x100m Medley Relay events are also held.
In 2026, there will be 56 medal events in total across both Para and non-Para competition. Two new events have been added for the first time, the men’s 800m Freestyle and women’s 1500m Freestyle races.
There are also events for athletes with a disability. They were first included as demonstration events in 1994 (Men's and Women's 100 m freestyle S9), and since 2002 events for athletes with a disability have been an official part of the program.
All events will be held at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre.
Commonwealth Games Swimming Trivia
- At the 1994 Games, Australian Kieren Perkins set two world records (800m and 1,500m Freestyle) both in the 1,500m race.
- Out of the 40 swimming events contested at the Manchester Games in 2002, Australia won a staggering 27 gold medals - nearly three quarters of the medals available! Australia’s swimming performance was led by Ian Thorpe, winning three gold and one silver.
Related Pages
- Other aquatics disciplines are optional sports at the Commonwealth Games: synchronized swimming, diving and open water swimming.
- About swimming at the Olympic Games and at the FINA World Swimming Championships
- All about the sport of swimming
- See the list of Commonwealth Games sports
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