Giaan Rooney hails Australia’s dominant first night in the Glasgow 2026 pool – Giaan Rooney has summed up Australia’s opening night in the Glasgow 2026 pool by declaring it was “Australia first, daylight second”.
Australia dominated night one of the Commonwealth Games swimming program, winning six gold medals in the pool across individual and relay events.
The results gave Seven and 7plus Sport a huge opening night storyline, with the Dolphins setting an early medal benchmark and delivering several prime-time Australian highlights for viewers following the Games.
Forrester backs up for gold
Jenna Forrester won gold in the women’s 200m backstroke after earlier claiming bronze in the women’s 400m freestyle. Rooney said Forrester had smashed her personal best and delivered an extraordinary swim after a demanding earlier program.
Ariarne Titmus described Forrester’s effort as one of the great backups she had seen, praising her composure and final 50 metres.
Relays underline Australian depth
Australia’s women’s 4 x 100m freestyle relay team of Meg Harris, Shayna Jack, Alex Perkins and Mollie O’Callaghan finished well clear of England and South Africa.
Rooney said Australia had been favourites, but the dominance was still a wonderful sight: “Australia first, daylight second.”
The men’s 4 x 100m freestyle relay also won gold, with Flynn Southam, Kai Taylor and Harrison Turner setting up Kyle Chalmers to anchor Australia home.
Rooney noted Southam’s 47.09 lead-off swim was the fourth fastest by an Australian, placing him behind Cam McEvoy, Eamon Sullivan and Kyle Chalmers.
Para swimmers add gold and silver
Alex Saffy and Col Pearse also delivered gold and silver for Australia in the men’s S10 100m butterfly, adding to a dominant first night in Glasgow.
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games continues nightly from 7.00pm on Seven and 7plus Sport.
For more coverage, visit TV Central’s Commonwealth Games section. View the public daily schedule through the official 7NEWS Commonwealth Games schedule.
