The 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, is set to be a thrilling spectacle, especially in the realm of swimming. With the Tollcross International Swimming Centre serving as the venue, the event promises to showcase the finest aquatic talent from across the Commonwealth. This article delves into the previews for the women's 50 and 100 butterfly events, highlighting the key contenders and their prospects for glory.
Women's 50 Butterfly: A Battle of Speed and Strategy
The women's 50 butterfly event is a testament to the speed and precision required in swimming. With the world record held by Sarah Sjöström at 24.43 seconds, the Commonwealth Games record set by Fran Halsall at 25.20 seconds, and the 2022 Commonwealth champion Emma McKeon with a time of 25.90 seconds, the bar is set incredibly high. This year, the event looks set to be a close contest between several swimmers, each bringing their unique strengths and strategies to the pool.
The Leading Contenders
One swimmer who stands out is Australia's Alexandria Perkins, the reigning world silver medalist. Perkins has been a force to be reckoned with, having equalled Holly Barrett's Oceanian record of 25.31 seconds in Singapore, and posting times of 25.62 and 25.60 seconds this year. With her track record, including Oceanian records in various short course and long course events, Perkins is undoubtedly the favorite to claim the gold medal.
New Zealand's Hazel Ouwehand, who clocked 25.55 seconds at the New Zealand Championships, and South Africa's Erin Gallagher, who has been half a second faster this season at 25.56 seconds, are also in the running. Gallagher, in particular, has been a consistent 57-point swimmer and made a world semi-final last summer, making her a formidable contender.
Eyeing Up The Podium
Both New Zealand and South Africa have additional swimmers who could make a splash in the final. Caitlin de Lange, who broke 26 seconds for the first time with a 25.98 seconds at the South African Championships, and Zoe Pedersen, who won gold at the World Junior Championships last season in a time of 25.63 seconds, are both in the mix. Pedersen, in particular, has shown promise, placing 24th in the senior world championships last summer.
The British contingent will be led by Eva Okaro, who was the only swimmer to crack 26 seconds at the Aquatics GB Championships, touching in 25.95 seconds. Okaro's only international appearances in the 50 fly have been in short course, but her fourth-fastest time this season makes her a swimmer to watch.
SwimSwam's Picks
Based on current form and records, SwimSwam predicts the following placements:
- Alex Perkins (AUS) - 25.60 seconds
- Erin Gallagher (RSA) - 25.56 seconds
- Hazel Ouwehand (NZL) - 25.55 seconds
- Caitlin de Lange (RSA) - 25.98 seconds
- Zoe Pedersen (NZL) - 26.18 seconds
- Eva Okaro (ENG) - 25.95 seconds
- Theodora Taylor (WAL) - 26.46 seconds
- Ciara Schlosshan (SCO) - 26.38 seconds
Women's 100 Butterfly: A Sprinting Showdown
The women's 100 butterfly event is a sprinting showdown, with the world record held by Gretchen Walsh at 54.33 seconds, the Commonwealth record set by Maggie MacNeil at 55.59 seconds, and the 2022 Commonwealth champion MacNeil with a time of 56.36 seconds. This year, the event promises to be a thrilling contest between several swimmers, each bringing their unique strengths and strategies to the pool.
A Surging Trio For The Podium
Alexandria Perkins has taken on the role vacated by Emma McKeon and stepped up to become Australia's top sprint fly swimmer over the last year and a half. Perkins won bronze in Singapore last summer, touching in 56.33 seconds after posting a lifetime best of 56.19 seconds in the semi-finals. With a half-second lead in the season rankings and her lifetime best leading the field by over a second, Perkins is the runaway winner in this event.
Keanna Macinnes has been inching her way towards the British record of 57.25 seconds over the last few years, dropping from 57.92 seconds to 57.57 seconds over the last 24 months. Macinnes, the Scottish record holder, is the fastest British swimmer so far this season and holds the third-fastest lifetime best of anyone in the field.
Erin Gallagher, who was 9th in both the heats and the semi-finals at the last Commonwealth Games, has been a consistent 57-point swimmer in recent seasons and made a world semi-final last summer. Gallagher's lifetime best of 57.32 seconds, which also stands as the African record, makes her a formidable contender.
Podium Potential
Brittany Castelluzzo, who was second at Australian Trials in 57.88 seconds, just off her best of 57.80 seconds from two years ago, is more focused on the 200 but has enough speed to be a finalist. Ciara Schlosshan and Hazel Ouwehand have matching season bests of 58.00 seconds, but Schlosshan, who clocked 57.43 seconds at the 2024 New Zealand Olympic Trials, has shown more consistency.
Lucy Grieve, the third Scot in the field, has a lifetime best of 58.09 seconds from last April, but is half a second slower this season. Emily Richards, England's fastest entrant with a season's best of 58.72 seconds, seems likely to be right on the barrier of the top eight.
SwimSwam's Picks
Based on current form and records, SwimSwam predicts the following placements:
- Alex Perkins (AUS) - 56.88 seconds
- Erin Gallagher (RSA) - 57.36 seconds
- Keanna Macinnes (SCO) - 57.57 seconds
- Brittany Castelluzzo (AUS) - 57.88 seconds
- Ciara Schlosshan (SCO) - 58.00 seconds
- Hazel Ouwehand (NZL) - 58.00 seconds
- Lucy Grieve (SCO) - 58.56 seconds
- Emily Richards (ENG) - 58.73 seconds
Women's 200 Butterfly: A Battle of Endurance and Strategy
The women's 200 butterfly event is a test of endurance and strategy, with the world record held by Summer McIntosh at 2:01.65 minutes, the Commonwealth record set by Jessicah Schipper at 2:03.41 minutes, and the 2022 Commonwealth champion Elizabeth Dekkers with a time of 2:07.26 minutes. This year, the event promises to be a close contest between several swimmers, each bringing their unique strengths and strategies to the pool.
Dekkers Looking To Repeat
Elizabeth Dekkers, the reigning World Championships bronze medalist in the 200 fly, is the favorite to defend her title. Dekkers clocked a new personal best of 2:04.95 minutes at Australian Trials, her first swim under 2:05 minutes, and is exactly two seconds ahead of anyone else in the field this season. With the other two members of the podium from the 2022 Games not returning, Dekkers seems unlikely to have any real challengers.
Keanna Macinnes, the Scottish record holder, is the fastest British swimmer so far this season and holds the third-fastest lifetime best of anyone in the field. Macinnes clocked 2:07.02 minutes to win the Aquatics GB Championships in April, less than a tenth of a second off her lifetime best of 2:06.93 minutes from last year.
Brittany Castelluzzo, who missed her lifetime best at the Australian Trials by the exact same margin as Macinnes, posting 2:06.95 minutes to near her best of 2:06.86 minutes from last year, will be her main rival for silver. Castelluzzo was 9th at the World Championships last year in 2:08.04 minutes, not adding quite as much time as Macinnes.
The Rest
Emily Richards, who was a world junior champion in the 200 fly in 2017, has neared her mark twice since, finishing 7th in the final at last year's world championships in 2:07.99 minutes, having been 2:07.71 minutes in the semi-finals, and taking silver at the 2026 Aquatics GB Championships in 2:07.70 minutes. Richards, who has a season's best of 2:07.70 minutes, is trending in the right direction.
Jess Cole, who set a new best of 2:08.81 minutes at the Australian Trials, will probably be towards the back in the final. Lucy Fox, another on the younger side who should be in the mix for the final, has a best of 2:08.90 minutes and has dropped over two seconds already this year.
SwimSwam's Picks
Based on current form and records, SwimSwam predicts the following placements:
- Elizabeth Dekkers (AUS) - 2:04.95 minutes
- Keanna Macinnes (SCO) - 2:07.02 minutes
- Brittany Castelluzzo (AUS) - 2:06.95 minutes
- Emily Richards (ENG) - 2:07.70 minutes
- Ciara Schlosshan (SCO) - 2:08.60 minutes
- Lucy Fox (ENG) - 2:08.90 minutes
- Jess Cole (AUS) - 2:08.81 minutes
- Ella Jansen (CAN) - 2:10.03 minutes
In conclusion, the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with the women's 50 and 100 butterfly events set to be particularly exciting. With the bar set high by previous records and the presence of several formidable swimmers, the event is sure to provide a showcase of the finest aquatic talent from across the Commonwealth.
