"VAN" (Sports Desk - 16.06.2026) :: Australia will arrive in Scotland confident of a securing a major haul of major swimming honours after naming a host of reigning Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games champions in their line-up for Glasgow 2026.
Kaylee McKeown, Kyle Chalmers, Mollie O’Callaghan each claimed medals at Birmingham 2022 as well as Paris 2024 and will return for further Commonwealth appearances after impressive performances at the Australian Swimming Trials.
"The Commonwealth Games is an incredible opportunity to race against some of the world’s best,” Chalmers told Glasgow 2026. My first experience was at Gold Coast 2018 and some of my fondest memories in my sport were created at the Commonwealth Games, so I’m super excited to be going back again.”
World record holder Cameron McEvoy and fellow 50m Freestyle World champion Meg Harris are joined by distance specialist Lani Pallister and fellow in-form Glasgow 2026 medal contenders Sam Short as well as Elizabeth Dekkers.
“Birmingham (2022) was definitely one of my favourite meets, it was my first-ever international medal and I’m really excited to have the chance to go back to Glasgow and race again,” reigning 200m Butterfly champion Dekkers told Glagsow 2026.
Shayna Jack, a multiple relay Olympic, World and Commonwealth gold medallist, will be joined in an international traveling team for the first time in her career, by brother and fellow sprinter Jamie Jack.
The 60-strong Team Australia squad features 18 Para Swimmers, headlined by Tim Hodge and Lakeisha Patterson, who returns for a fourth Games, having made her debut at Glasgow 2014.
“The Commonwealths were really pivotal to me as Glasgow 2014 was my first international competition and it was the first time I was exposed to a Games environment as well as being around a lot of our Olympic counterparts and people I idolised,” recalls Patterson.
“It has been such a special ride and I’ve competed at the pool (Tollcross) a couple of times now so I’m aware of just how amazing the atmosphere can be and I’m looking forward to going back.”
Australia claimed 25 gold medals in the pool at Birmingham 2022 and Team Chef de Mission Petria Thomas OAM OLY is backing the latest generation of ‘Dolphins’ to embrace the opportunity Glasgow 2026 presents.
“The Australian Dolphins at Glasgow 2026 will feature a powerful mix of established performers and emerging talent, all eager to leave their mark,” said Thomas.
“I know Australia is eagerly looking forward to cheering on the Dolphins once they take to the pool.”
Glasgow 2026 will feature the largest-ever Swimming programme at a Commonwealth Games, with more para swimming disciplines than at any previous edition, while the women’s 1500m and men’s 800m Freestyle are also included for the first time.
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