Day Four Brings Athletics, Swimming, and Gymnastics Medals
The fourth day of the 2026 Commonwealth Games saw the much-anticipated start of athletics, alongside continued competition in swimming and gymnastics. Athletes from across the Commonwealth vied for medals in a packed schedule at the main stadium and aquatic centre.
Track and Field Events Underway
Track and field events began with heats in the men's and women's 100m, 400m, and 800m, as well as field events including long jump and shot put. According to Games officials, over 200 athletes participated in the first session, with several Commonwealth records expected to be challenged in the coming days. The men's 100m heats saw defending champion and world record holder from Jamaica advance comfortably, clocking 9.95 seconds in his preliminary race.
Swimming Finals Deliver Thrilling Races
In the pool, four finals were contested on day four. Australia's women's 4x200m freestyle relay team set a new Games record of 7:48.12, beating their own previous mark. The men's 100m breaststroke saw a close finish, with England's Adam Peaty winning gold in 58.24 seconds, just 0.02 seconds ahead of South Africa's Cameron van der Burgh. "I gave it everything, and it was enough," Peaty said after the race.
Gymnastics Team and All-Around Finals
Gymnastics featured the women's team final and men's all-around final. The Canadian women's team secured gold with a total score of 168.450, narrowly edging out England (167.900) and Australia (166.725). In the men's all-around, Great Britain's James Hall took gold with a score of 86.650, followed by Malaysia's Muhammad Sharul Aimy (85.400) and Canada's Zachary Clay (84.950).
Other Notable Results
In weightlifting, India's Mirabai Chanu won gold in the women's 49kg category with a total lift of 205kg, a new Games record. In the boxing ring, quarter-finals began in several weight classes, with athletes from Nigeria, Scotland, and New Zealand among those advancing. The day's events drew large crowds, with total attendance exceeding 50,000 across all venues, according to organizers.
Impact on Medal Table
The day's results shifted the medal table, with Australia maintaining its lead with 12 gold medals, followed by England (10) and Canada (8). The start of athletics is expected to further reshape the standings as more track and field finals take place in the coming days.
