Clegg seeks golden ‘Flower of Scotland’ glory at Glasgow 2026

The 30-year-old, who won two gold medals at Paris 2024, finished just 0.01 seconds behind Turbide at Birmingham 2022 in the men’s 50m Freestyle S13 final.

The pair will likely to go head-to-head twice at Glasgow 2026, with the return of the one length discipline, together with the 100m Freestyle S13 event.

“It’s awesome to be part of Team Scotland, because as a VI (visually impaired) athlete we don’t have too many opportunities and doubling it up with a home Games is something really quite special,” said Clegg.

“Birmingham was an interesting one as it was the first time I’d just missed out on a gold medal and I wasn’t unhappy because the personal I lost to (Turbide) is a good friend of mine.

“That said, it would have been amazing to stand on the top of the podium and listen to ‘Flower of Scotland’ as that’s something I’ve never had in my career, but perhaps it was fait and to win gold at a home Commonwealth Games would be really incredible.”

Faye Rogers, who was born in England, but has a Scottish ancestry, was due to relocate from the nation of her birth in 2021, but suffered lifechanging injuries as a result of a car crash shortly before her planned move.

The former aspiring Olympic swimmer would head north the following year to begin studies at the University of Aberdeen. Since being classified as a para swimmer Rogers has gone on to claim Paralympic gold, eight World Championship medals and set a host of world records, over the last four years.

“I’m really excited as I’ve never raced for Scotland, only ever for Great Britain and it’s also a home Games, with a home crowd where my family can come,” said Rogers, who is now studying for a Masters in Edinburgh.

“It’s also going to be the first time I’m going to be part of an integrated team with Olympic athletes which will be different and it’s another reason to be really excited.”

Also announced as part of the first cohort of Team Scotland Para Swimmers are Stephen Clegg’s older brother James Clegg, who won bronze at London 2012 and after an astounding comeback will now compete at his first major international since 2013.

Three-time World champion Toni Shaw, who won 100m Freestyle S9 bronze at Birmingham 2022, is set for her third Commonwealth Games appearance, while Sam Downie and Ollie Carter will return to the Scotland team, four years after their debuts.

“Since then (Birmingham 2022), I’ve gone from getting a World Championships medal to then missing out on several teams because of injury and illness over a few years,” said Downie.

“So, to have the opportunity to comeback on the international stage for Scotland, in Scotland, is really special.”

Teenager Astrid Carroll will have the opportunity to build on an impressive breakthrough year, which saw her claimed two medals in her major event bow at the 2025 Para Swimming World Championships, in her maiden Commonwealth Games.

The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will run from 23 July to 2 August, with swimming, as well as para swimming, taking place between 24-29 July. To find out how you can attain tickets to watch some of the greatest athletes on the planet in person, CLICK HERE.