Barry McClements Shines with Silver in S9 100m at Commonwealth Games 2026
Para-swimmer Barry McClements secured a silver medal in the men's S9 100m backstroke at the Commonwealth Games 2026 held at Tollcross Swimming Centre. This achievement marks Northern Ireland's second medal of the Games, following Bethany Firth's bronze in the women's S14 100m freestyle. McClements, who previously clinched bronze in the same event at the Birmingham 2022 Games, completed the race in a time of 1:03.68, just 0.68 seconds behind Australia's Timothy Hodge. Reflecting on his performance, he stated, "This morning it was about just being comfortable, leaving a bit in the tank for this evening... I think I got everything perfect." Expressing pride in representing his country, he emphasized: "It means a lot. We don't get to represent Northern Ireland unless we're at the Commonwealth Games." "To put our wee country on the map, it's the biggest privilege there is, I think, in swimming." As a two-time Paralympian, McClements acknowledged his progression, saying, "My career has just been like stepping stones... sometimes you need to go backwards to go forwards." He aims to inspire others, stating, "No matter what obstacles you face... dream big and don't stop chasing your dreams." Looking ahead, McClements is focused on preparing for the Paralympics in Los Angeles in two years, stating, "LA is the aim... just keep stepping up every year into LA." He also highlighted the bright future for Northern Ireland's swimming team, noting the continuous improvement and growth in the sport. "For such a small country, to have this many good swimmers is pretty insane."
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-07-26