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Stephen Clegg storms to Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow

Published 09:16 29 Jul 2026 BST

Updated 09:18 29 Jul 2026 BST

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Stephen Clegg storms to Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow

Homesport

A huge win for Stephen Clegg in Glasgow

Scottish para-swimmer Stephen Clegg stormed to a 50m freestyle S14 gold at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Tuesday night, taking the host nation's tally to seven golds and 14 medals on day five of the 11-day competition.

The victory added to the silver the 30-year-old claimed in the 100m version of the event on the opening night, capping a remarkable turnaround for a swimmer who feared his career might be over earlier this season. After winning double Paralympic gold in Paris in 2024, Clegg required surgery to shave a growth of bone from inside his shoulder.

Stephen Clegg leads Scotland's medal charge

It was another proud night for Scotland, whose swimmers were not done. Little over two hours later the 4x200m mixed medley quartet of Matthew Ward, Angharad Evans, Keanna MacInnes and Duncan Scott thrashed their way to a scarcely believable bronze, edging out Canada for the nation's 15th medal. It made Scott, Scotland's most decorated Games athlete, more decorated still with a 15th medal across four Commonwealths.

Clegg,who was born in Stockport, Greater Manchester and grew up in the Borders town of Newcastleton, is one of three swimming siblings alongside sister Libby, a double Paralympic champion, and older brother James, who was tied fourth in the same race. All three have stargardt macular dystrophy, which affects their vision.

"The gold in Paris was special because it was a really tough journey to get there. But this has been more challenging in some ways."

Stephen Clegg

His coach jokes that the swimmer "likes to call me Mariah Cleggy" and that "Messi only shows up for World Cup". Evans and MacInnes are back in finals on Wednesday, and as BBC Sport reported, Scotland could yet enjoy an even more successful week in the pool.