Australia has made a stunning start to the swimming programme at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, claiming five out of seven gold medals on the opening day. The dominant performance included victories from Ariarne Titmus, Elijah Winnington, Zac Stubblety-Cook, and para athlete Tim Hodge, as well as the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay team.
Ariarne Titmus overcame a bout of pre-Games Covid-19 to win the women's 200m freestyle in a Games record time of 1:53.89. She held off a fierce challenge from fellow Australian Mollie O'Callaghan, who took silver with 1:54.01, while Madison Wilson claimed bronze with 1:56.17, securing an all-Australian podium. Titmus praised O'Callaghan, saying, 'Mollie has been killing it in training, she is young, feisty, hungry. I knew she would be there.'
In the men's events, Elijah Winnington won the 400m freestyle gold, with Sam Short taking silver and Mack Horton bronze. Zac Stubblety-Cook added gold in the men's 200m breaststroke. The mixed 4x100m freestyle relay team, featuring Emma McKeon, Mollie O'Callaghan, Kyle Chalmers, and William Zu Yang, also claimed gold, finishing ahead of England and Canada.
Former pop star Cody Simpson made a successful Commonwealth Games debut, qualifying for the men's 50m butterfly final after finishing second in his heat. Emma McKeon qualified first for the 100m butterfly final, while several Australian men advanced in the 100m backstroke.
