The Pullbuoy Podcast

It was an exciting six days of racing in Glasgow at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, and even if Australia dominated to an even larger degree than normal, there was still plenty of home nations interest. Bob and Steve are once again joined by Commonwealth Champion Hannah Miley to pick out the key events of the week, from Angharad Evans dragging herself over the finish line to a breakout performance from Amalie Smith and a fine Scottish showing. We also consider what might have gone wrong for England, who failed to win a swimming gold for the first time ever.

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Episode Artwork: Mickaël Malaper / Malaper Photography

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Glasgow will play host to the 2026 Commonwealth Games with plenty of exciting racing in prospect at the Tollcross pool over six nights of action.

Steve and Bob are joined by Commonwealth Champion Hannah Miley to look forward to the competition, considering the home team's chances and what a lift the Scottish crowd can give them, how the rest of the home nations will fare against the might of Australia and if anyone can stop all the relay medals heading back down under.

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As Glasgow prepares to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, this special episode of the Pullbuoy Podcast asks a simple question: do the Commonwealth Games still matter?

To find the answer, Steve takes a journey that begins forty years ago, at the 1986 Games in Edinburgh and the moment that first sparked his fascination with the meet and the athletes who shaped it.

From there, we explore the Games’ place in swimming as a competition that has launched careers and offers athletes something they rarely get elsewhere: the chance to represent the nations that shaped them. Through interviews with Adam Ramsay-Peaty, Matt Richards, Duncan Scott, Dan Wiffen, James Guy, and more, we hear why the meet still carries emotional weight and competitive significance.

But the story isn’t straightforward. The Games face real challenges with hosting uncertainty, shifting priorities, and questions about their future relevance all circling. There are contrasting perspectives, from concerns about scheduling and funding to arguments that the Games remain a vital stepping stone for emerging talent.

With athlete memories, expert insight, and personal reflection, this episode examines what the Commonwealth Games mean now and what might be lost if they disappear.

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Episode Artwork: GBSwimstars

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He's been in the role for just over 18 months having taken on the mantle of GB head coach from Bill Furniss, and Steven Tigg is looking forward to a summer of international competition on two fronts, the Commonwealth Games and the European Championships. But as GB head coach he can only really influence one, so how does he navigate that tension and how has he found stepping up from a performance centre into the top job? We spoke to him about following on from the hugely successful era that went before, his thoughts on the current state of the GB programme and what he hopes the team can achieve in Paris this summer as a stepping stone onto the 2028 Olympics.

-------------------Episode Artwork: Ian MacNicol/Scottish Swimming

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In our main Aquatics GB Championships review podcast, there was plenty we heard from the swimmers that didn't make it in, so in this extra edition you can hear some of what they had to say after their races in London. Bob chats to Duncan Scott and Ed Mildred about their fly exploits, hears from Eva Okaro after a 100 free lifetime best, and speaks to Katie Shanahan about her 200m backstroke and difficulties heading into trials. We also hear from the swimmer of the week, Angharad Evans about her 200m breaststroke British Record and Ollie Morgan who was less than impressed with his 100m backstroke despite swimming a fast 52.41.

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It was a terrific week of competition in London, headlined by three sizzling British records from Angharad Evans and Freya Colbert. With selection on the line for this summer's European Championships and Commonwealth Games, there was plenty of action for Steve and Bob to discuss , and we hear from several of the key players, including the record breakers.

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There was a bombshell announcement his week as Ben Proud retired from swimming with immediate effect and instead joined the Enhanced Games. On this extra podcast, Steve, Bob and Katie take a brief look at the issues that this raises.

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Episode Artwork: Sharpfocus Pics

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It wasn’t the World Championships the British team was hoping for, or indeed the one we all expected with a haul of only 2 medals in Singapore. There is a lot of context to be applied, with illness a significant factor for a number of teams, but there were plenty of high points for Steve, Bob and Katie to look back on, including another world title for the men’s 4x200 freestyle and a superb British Record from Freya Colbert.

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Episode Artwork: Sharpfocus Pics

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In this episode, Steve, Bob and Katie look forward to the 2025 World Swimming Championships in Singapore, and run the rule over the British team's prospects, including great podium chances for Angharad Evans, Ollie Morgan, Duncan Scott, Ben Proud and more.

We also take a look at the challenges posed by formidable international competitors, particularly from the US team and the showdown looming in the men's 4x200 freestyle relay.

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Episode Artwork: Aniko Kovacs for European Aquatics

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It was quite the week in London at the 2025 Aquatics GB Swimming Championships as we saw two British Records, plenty of close racing and a closing event with drama that just couldn't be predicted. That means plenty for Steve Katie and Bob to mull over, we hear from some of the top performers of the week including record setters Ollie Morgan and Angharad Evans, and breakout star Jacob Mills, and then we consider what it all means for the World Championship team selection, with a few predictions thrown in for good measure.

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