GLASGOW, Scotland – Canada's swimmers wasted little time making its presence felt at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, putting two bronze medals on Team Canada’s medal count on the opening day in Glasgow, Scotland
Canada's Paralympic swimmers set the tone in the pool for the Canucks, combining for a pair of third-place finishes to launch the team's mission for medals at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre.
Mary Jibb, of Muskoka, Ont., blazed Team Canada's trail to the podium, capturing bronze in the women's SM10 200-metre individual medley. The 19-year-old Paris Paralympian from the Pacific Seawolves Swim Club clocked a personal best time of 2:32.54 to capture the nation’s first medal in Glasgow.
“I heard (that was the first medal) after I touched the wall so I can’t put it into words how this feels. It’s super amazing and I’m proud to walk away with the bronze,” said Jibb, who experienced a stroke as a child that resulted in a physical impairment. “It’s the fastest I’ve been since Singapore last year so I’m super happy. It’s special to be here at my first Commonwealth Games. I feel this is another step forward for the Paralympic movement to have (Para swimming) integrated into the Games.”
Scotland's Faye Rogers won gold at 2:29.61 in the classification, while Australia's Jasmine Greenwood claimed the silver in 2:32.13.
Katie Cosgriffe (Burlington, Ont./Wilfrid Laurier University) finished fourth in 2:32.70, with Tianna Asaia (Calgary, Alta./Okotoks Mavericks Swimming) placed sixth at 2:43.17.
Jack Gill (Brockville, Ont./McGill University) added another medal to Canada's tally. Competing in his first Commonwealth Games, the 21-year-old earned the bronze in the men's S10 100-metre butterfly with his parents in the stands on hand to watch him clock a time of 1:00.30.
“Coming off trials, I was hoping to stay strong for this meet. I’m pretty happy with how I performed,” said Gill – a McGill University student-athlete, whose parents were in the stands on Friday evening. “This is the first time I’ve been around the Olympic side (of the Canadian program). It has been a great environment and is bringing our team work to another level.”
Australia's Alex Saffy was the man to beat in the classification, swimming to gold in a time of 57.11, while his teammate Cole Pearse secured the silver at 57.59.
Two other Canadians also started the S10 100m butterfly final. Alex Elliott (Kitchener, Ont./Wilfrid Laurier University) finished fourth at 1:01.09, while Fernando Lu (Burnaby, B.C./Olympians Swimming) was disqualified after it was determined he alternated legs following a video review.
Canada's success extended beyond the podium in Friday night's finals.
The men's 4x100-metre freestyle relay quartet of Joshua Liendo (Toronto/North York Aquatic Club & University of Florida), Antoine Sauve (Mont-Royal, Que./CAMO Natation & University of Michigan), Benjamin Winterborn (Mont-Royal, Que./CAMO Natation & University of Michigan) and Calgary’s Lorne Wigginton (Etobicoke Swim Club /U Michigan) were locked in a fierce battle for bronze throughout the race. Despite staying within striking distance of the podium, the Canadians narrowly missed out on a medal, touching the wall fifth in 3:15.48.
Madison Kryger (Niagara, Ont. – HPC Ontario/Brock Niagara Aquatics) finished just shy of the podium with a fifth-place finish in the women's 200-metre backstroke (2:09.38), while Lorne Wigginton (Etobicoke Swim Club /U Michigan) was sixth at 1:58.66 in the men's 200-metre individual medley.
Ella Jansen (Burlington, Ont./Etobicoke Swim Club) placed seventh in the women's 400-metre freestyle with a time of 4:09.75, and Hunter Helberg (Fort McMurray, Alta./Ft. McMurray Mantas Swim Club) added an eighth-place finish in the men's S13 100-metre freestyle, stopping the clock at 1:04.02.
The Canadian swim team is comprised of 12 Olympic Program and 12 Paralympic Program athletes at the Commonwealth Games, which are a unique among major international multi-sport events, bringing Olympic and Paralympic stream athletes together as one integrated team, creating an environment that has become one of the defining characteristics of the Commonwealth movement. Canada’s swimmers captured 19 medals at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The swimming competition runs July 24-29. Glasgow 2026 will welcome approximately 3,000 athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations and territories competing across 10 sports, including six Para sports.
How to Watch
CBC is the Canadian home of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with daily television coverage from July 23 through Aug. 2. Fans can also stream more than 1,200 hours of live competition on CBC Gem and CBC.ca, with a complete event schedule available across CBC's digital platforms.
ABOUT COMMONWEALTH TEAM CANADA 2026
The 2026 Commonwealth Games will bring together 74 nations and territories in a celebration of sport, culture, and community. Team Canada will once again compete with pride, unity, and determination on the global stage on this important path to Olympic and Paralympic success. Team Canada will feature 148 athletes, including one guide, 82 team officials and 19 mission staff. Canada’s performance projection in 2026 is a top three ranking, in total medals, amongst all nations and territories competing. Team Canada’s dedicated mission team will provide an optimal environment by celebrating equality, diversity, and non-discrimination. This is in support of our goals needed to enable a best ever performance by Canadian athletes at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
For more information, please contact:
Patrick Kenny
Communications Team Leader – Team Canada 2026
Email: [email protected]
613 724 7160
Chris Dornan
Communications Advisor – Swimming Canada
Email: [email protected]
403-620-8731
Simone Cseplo
Communications Manager – Swimming Canada
Email: [email protected]
416-668-3244
Photo Credit: Ian MacNicol