Australia’s Maddison Elliott Breaks S8 World Record; Three for Aussies in Two Days

In two days of swimming at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the Australian contingent has six new World Record holders across three events (two individuals and a relay),

The  newest addition to the record-breaking crew is 15-year old Maddison Elliott in the women’s S8 100 free (which was also an S7 eligible race).

Elliott swam a 1:05.32, beating out England’s Stephanie Slater (1:05.73) for the gold medal, and in the process broke the old World Record held by American Jessica Long in 1:05.63. Long did her swim en route to a gold medal at the 2012 Paralympic Games.

The average age of the six World Record swimmers on this Australian Commonwealth Games squad is just 20 years old – and even at that, the average is brought up by 27-year old Mel Schlanger, who is 5 years older than any of the other 6. Rowan Crothers broke the men’s S9 100 free record on Thursday, and he’s only 16.

While much of the domestic attention in Australian swimming has been focused upon the relative failures of the men’s team in recent years, there are many, many areas in which the Australian program is very strong, and looks like they will be for years to come.