Stephen Clegg’s coach thinks he is a little bit of a diva. “He likes to name me Mariah Cleggy,” the Scottish swimmer stated.
And the 30-year-old actually introduced the drama to Tollcross on Tuesday, rampaging his solution to an surprising victory within the Commonwealth Video games 50m freestyle S14.
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The triumph took the host nation’s tally to seven golds – and a complete of 14 medals – on day 5 of the 11-day competitors and added to the silver Clegg claimed on the opening evening within the 100m model of the occasion.
Not dangerous for a person who thought his profession is perhaps performed earlier this season.
After double Paralympic gold in Paris in 2024, Clegg required surgical procedure to deal with a development inside his shoulder. A little bit of bone shaving. Nothing massively critical, he says.
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However the bodily and psychological receipts of which have lingered for the person who grew up within the Borders city of Newcastleton with sister Libby – a double Paralympic champion from 2012 – and older brother James, who was tied fourth on this race.
All three have stargardt macular dystrophy, which impacts their imaginative and prescient.
“The gold in Paris was particular as a result of it was a very powerful journey to get there. However this has been more difficult in some methods,” he informed BBC Sport Scotland.
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“It wasn’t essentially a practical… I do not know if life like is the suitable phrase however I used to be ready to not win gold. However I believe I swam past myself as we speak.”
Clegg added: “My coach stated one thing a bit foolish earlier, which was that [footballer] Lionel Messi solely reveals up for the World Cup, and he meant that my expertise permits me to step up for these huge moments when all season I have been swimming a bit crap.
“He’ll hopefully agree that I’ve performed that tonight.”
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And the way. Clegg attacked the second 50m of the race with relish and pulled away from his rivals to publish a time of 24.73 seconds, half a second faster than he has gone all yr.
It additionally upgraded the silver he gained in Birmingham over the space – achieved when he was not solely 4 years youthful, however in a lot better form bodily.
All that was taking part in by his thoughts as he stood on the rostrum, lip trembling and making an attempt arduous to maintain his form, as Flower of Scotland performed.
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“I used to be actually struggling to maintain it collectively,” stated Clegg, who had missed his sister’s marriage ceremony amid the preparations for these Video games. “As soon as the anthem began taking part in, I simply began shaking and began to tear up a bit of bit.
“I am a really emotional particular person, however I do not actually allow them to out fairly often. And for me to indicate that emotion form of, I believe, speaks louder than phrases for me.
“Each time I attempted to articulate it, I’ve fallen quick of the particular feeling. It is a once-in-a-lifetime expertise, and I believe nothing in my profession can actually be that second. Even successful gold at Paris.”
