Competitors will battle it out for 42 Swimming and 14 Para Swimming gold medals, making it the largest-ever pool competition at a Commonwealth Games, with the Women’s 1500m and Men’s 800m included for the first time.

Australia topped the medal standings at Birmingham 2022 with 65 medals, 25 of them gold. With the current crop of stars including Paris 2024 Olympic champions Mollie O’Callaghan, Cam McEvoy and Lani Pallister, they could well beat their haul from four years ago.

Reigning 100m Freestyle champion Kyle Chalmers (AUS, pictured) will compete at his third Commonwealth Games seeking to add to the seven golds, and nine medals in total, he took home from the previous two editions.

Chalmers has put himself within striking distance of the great Ian Thorpe, who remains Australia’s most-decorated male athlete at the Games with 11 medals claimed across Kuala Lumpur 1998 and Manchester 2002.

“I'm definitely well aware where I sit in in that medal count, so it would be an honour to surpass the greatest male that's ever swum for Australia at a Commonwealth Games,” said Chalmers, who became a father in August last year.

“It’s harder now, being away from my daughter when I go to championships. But being with the team motivates me. We’re capable of something really special, particularly on the opening night (in the Men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay).

Icing on the cake

Chalmers, who anticipates Glasgow 2026 will be his final Commonwealth Games, said: “I’ve been able to achieve so many great things in my career and if I’m able to do it (beat Thorpe’s record total), it would be the icing on the cake. But I’m not stressing about it.”

England’s medal hopes will again be led by three-time Olympic champion Adam Ramsay-Peaty, who made his breakthrough on the international stage at Glasgow 2014.

He won the Men’s 100m Breaststroke 12 years ago before defending the title at Gold Coast 2018 and claiming the 50m crown at Birmingham 2022.

“Throughout my career the Commonwealth Games have been the championships where I’ve learned the most,” said Ramsay-Peaty.

“Hopefully this time we don’t have to learn too much and we can get some incredible results.”

The host nation will hope to be contenders as well and the opening night of competition could see significant Scottish success with Duncan Scott, Faye Rogers and Stephen Clegg all tipped to top the podium.

Another leading Scottish contender is Angharad Evans, who clocked the best times in the world this year for Women’s 100m and 200m Breaststroke.

“I’m proud but I’m not satisfied,” said Evans, who claimed European short course silver last December.

“I keep wanting to grow that collection and build more medals on to it. The Commonwealth Games is the perfect chance to do that.

“There’s really good competition with the other countries so it’s going to be tough, but I’m ready to step up to the plate and challenge myself and see if I can make Scotland proud.”

Record haul

Other women to watch include current Commonwealth champions Kylie Masse (CAN), Lara van Niekerk (RSA) and Elizabeth Dekkers (AUS).

In the Men’s competition, Chad Le Clos (RSA) is eyeing a glorious finale to his brilliant Commonwealth Games career.

The South African made his Games debut at Delhi 2010 and has gone on to win 18 medals over his four campaigns to date. That ties him with the record haul for a male athlete, alongside shooters Mick Gault (ENG) and Phillip Adams (AUS).

Le Clos, 34, bagged seven medals at Glasgow 2014 and said he will draw “inspiration” from that competition when he returns to Tollcross International Swimming Centre.

“That was an unbelievable event,” Le Clos said. “Like then, I have my parents and some friends coming to watch me and that will be incredible, because to be honest I don’t need swimming any more but I love it so much and I just love competing.

“This is probably my last Commonwealth Games and I’m driven by legacy, so I’d be lying if I said that the record wasn’t in the back of my mind.

“There’s so much in my career that I’m thankful for, but it’s not over yet. I’m pushing for it (the record) and think I have a shot.”

The Swimming competition starts on 24 July. For the full schedule, click here.