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Three Olympians and a Paralympian will lead Canada’s 24-member swim team at the Commonwealth Games, starting Friday in Glasgow.
Olympians Kylie Masse, Josh Liendo and Sophie Angus, along with three-time Paralympian Alec Elliott of Kitchener, Ont., were chosen by their teammates, continuing Swimming Canada’s athlete-led leadership model introduced several years ago.
“Athlete-voted captains continue to strengthen leadership within our senior national teams,” Swimming Canada high performance director and national coach John Atkinson stated in a news release.
“Kylie, Josh, Sophie and Alec each understand the importance of this role and the trust their teammates have placed in them. They are tremendous leaders who will have a positive impact on this team throughout the Commonwealth Games.”
Canadian swimmers — 12 Olympians and 12 Paralympians — will aim to build on a successful showing at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, where they collected 19 medals while displaying the depth that continues to define one of the nation’s strongest summer sport programs.
The 23rd edition of the Commonwealth Games in Scotland opens Thursday and closes Aug. 2.
About 3,000 athletes from 74 countries and territories will compete in a downsized sport program.
Coverage begins on Thursday, starting with the pre-ceremony show at 2:30 p.m. ET, hosted by CBC Sports’ Andi Petrillo and Paralympic cycling medallist Nathan Clement. CBC Gem, CBCSports.ca and CBC will then have live coverage of the opening ceremony at 3 p.m. ET.
Few Canadian swimmers will bring more multi-sport games experience to Glasgow’s Tollcross International Swimming Centre than Masse, the 30-year-old five-time Olympic medallist from LaSalle, Ont.
She captured five Commonwealth medals four years ago and four medals at her 2018 Games debut in Gold Coast, Australia.
Get to know three-time world champion and three-time Commonwealth Games champion swimmer Kylie Masse, as she will be competing for Canada at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Games plays key role in Angus’s career
Toronto’s Liendo, 23, was equally impressive four years ago, winning gold in the men’s 100-metre butterfly and bronze in 50 freestyle, 100 free relay and mixed 100 free.
As established leaders, Angus and Elliot join them to help foster a supportive environment for a team featuring several athletes making their senior multi-sport Games debut.
The Commonwealth Games has played an important role for Angus, who swam to silver in the 100 medley relay and mixed medley in Birmingham.
“It’s an honour to return as a team captain,” said Angus, who was born in Connecticut, but her parents are Canadian. “I’m excited to help lead this talented Canadian team, create an environment where everyone can perform at their best, and proudly wear the Maple Leaf alongside my teammates.”
Canadian swimmer and world-record-holder Josh Liendo headlines Canada’s Commonwealth Games team. We go behind the scenes of where he trains in Florida to explore the relentless work ethic and competitive drive that have made him a force in the pool. Discover how he has navigated recent health setbacks, his journey to the top of the podium, and why, for Liendo, the best is yet to come.
Canada’s 12-member Para squad features seven men and five women, with extensive experience at the Paralympics, Commonwealth Games and world championships.
The team features seven athletes from the 2024 Paralympics in Paris: Reid Maxwell, Katie Cosgriffe, Mary Jibb, Nicolas-Guy Turbide, Fernando Lu, Jagdev (Jack) Gill and Elliot.
“This is an inspired group of athletes and staff who reflect the depth of the Canadian Paralympic program,” said Jocelyn Jay, Swimming Canada’s associate director of high performance, Paralympic program. “Our group is rich with multi-sport Games experience and are driven to support each other in a healthy environment while pushing each other to achieve their individual and team goals at the Commonwealth Games.”
A balanced roster of experience and youth also includes Ella Jansen, Julie Brousseau and Lorne Wigginton, along with rising talents Madison Kryger, Oliver Dawson, Antoine Sauve, Benjamin Loewen, Ben Winterborn and Delia Lloyd.
CBC and CBC Gem will carry live daily broadcasts and will also provide coverage on its streaming service, YouTube and social media channels.
Canadian Olympic wrestling champion Erica Wiebe won her first international gold medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and now she is returning as Team Canada’s chef de mission for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
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