2022 Commonwealth Games, birmingham

"After the upheaval of the last few years, I had no idea what to expect from 2022. Pandemic had arrived, then my club had lost its training pool after a major flood. As performance swimming began to return to the water in July 2020 I was offered the opportunity to train at Stirling University. I knew immediately during that first session that I still had goals in the pool"

Stephen had trained in his club environment for 17 years when covid struck. Like everything else, swimming came to an abrupt halt. Athletes had to find new, creative ways to maintain their fitness over the next 4 months until sport began to understand how to return safely

Stirling University Swim Team selections to Team Scotland Aquatics Birmingham 2022

"The move to the University of Stirling Swim Team came at the right time for me. I had struggled with my competitive drive and needed to change the way I thought about how to achieve my training targets. I had trained weekly in Stirling for 8 years with my club coach and knew everyone there pretty well. I was sure the programme would push me to work in new ways"

Stephen's results at the Scottish Winter Meet in December 2021 had shown promise of a return to form, but making the selection times for Team Scotland at the Trials in April 2022 was going to be very tough. There was a tense wait for the team announcement, but when it eventually came at the end of May, he had achieved the first of the goals he had set himself - to compete at his third Commonwealth Games

Team Scotland at Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony

"The Games were an unbelievable experience after everything we had all been though as a nation. Full crowds were able to return at last, and they made sure we knew they were there. The team was full of hope and ambition. Small and mighty, clear heads brave hearts, it certainly felt like it was a time for heroes, and we were all ready to step up"

Men's 4x200m freestyle relay Bronze medallists

Once again, Stephen was tasked with leading off the men's 4x200m freestyle relay for Scotland. A thrilling race ensued, with the bronze falling eventually to the Scots after a hard-fought battle with Team Wales. A second bronze followed from his heat swim in the men's medley relay, as the Scottish men claimed the aquatic team's 12th medal of the Games in the final session of the swimming events

"It was such a buzz to be part of it all. The goals I had thought about as I found ways to train alone in 2020, determined there must be some kind of future back in the pool once the world had found a way forward, had seemed very distant. Swimming had brought me so much joy, challenge and fulfilment over the years. Pandemic reminded me just how much I loved it"

Team Scotland Aquatics Birmingham 2022

"Being with the team in Birmingham, everyone so determined and full of spirit, was one of the greatest experiences of my swimming career and I am so proud to have been a part of it all. I couldn't have wished for more"