Australia has named a formidable para swimming squad of 18 athletes to compete at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. The team is headlined by Games gold medallists Tim Hodge and Col Pearse, who further cemented their status with standout performances at Birmingham 2022. The squad also includes Dolphins veteran Lakeisha ‘Lucky’ Patterson, who will take to the pool at the Commonwealth Games for a fourth time.
Patterson is one of Australia’s most decorated swimmers and is returning to the pool where she made her Dolphins’ debut as a 15-year-old.
“It’s always an honour to wear the green and gold and representing Australia at my fourth Commonwealth Games is special,” Patterson said. “The Commonwealth Games is the only time on the international stage we get to compete alongside our able-bodied friends, and we have more classifications on offer this time around. I am so excited to have Mia Hogan on the team, who is basically the same age as me when I made my Australian debut.”
In addition to Hogan, 14, the group of debutants features 16-year-olds Gemma Sellick and Liam Togher. Hogan is the youngest member of the Australian Commonwealth Games team named so far and has impressed with her rapid rise through the ranks.
“Australian swimming has a proud history at the Commonwealth Games, and the para swimming squad for Glasgow will build on that legacy with incredible performances,” chef de mission Petria Thomas said. “I commend those confirmed today, acknowledge the tireless effort of their coaches, support staff, friends and family behind the scenes and look forward to welcoming their able-bodied Dolphins counterparts to the team next month.”
Swimming Australia Paralympic head coach Mel Tantrum expressed excitement about the balance of the squad. “There is so much experience and youth in this team … from Tim, Col and Lucky through to Mia and all our debutants and the likes of Kirralee Hayes returning to the team - her first Australian team since Birmingham,” Tantrum said. “For us we’re expecting a full medal sweep in some events and across the board we are expecting to be a very competitive team.”
Watch the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games live and free on Seven and 7plus.
