RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 2 sourcesStephen Clegg is one of three siblings to have competed in top-level swimming [PA Media]
Stephen Clegg's coach thinks he's a bit of a diva. "He likes to call me Mariah Cleggy," the Scottish swimmer said.
And the 30-year-old certainly brought the drama to Tollcross on Tuesday, rampaging his way to an unexpected victory in the Commonwealth Games 50m freestyle S14.
The triumph took the host nation's tally to seven golds - and a total of 14 medals - on day five of the 11-day competition and added to the silver Clegg claimed on the opening night in the 100m version of the event.
Not bad for a man who thought his career might be done earlier this season.
After double Paralympic gold in Paris in 2024, Clegg required surgery to address a growth inside his shoulder. A bit of bone shaving. Nothing hugely serious, he says.
But the physical and mental receipts of that have lingered for the man who grew up in the Borders town of Newcastleton with sister Libby - a double Paralympic champion from 2012 - and older brother James, who was tied fourth in this race.
All three have stargardt macular dystrophy, which affects their vision.
"The gold in Paris was special because it was a really tough journey to get there. But this has been more challenging in some ways," he told BBC Sport Scotland.
"It wasn't necessarily a realistic... I don't know if realistic is the right word but I was prepared to not win gold. But I think I swam beyond myself today."
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Clegg added: "My coach said something a bit silly earlier, which was that [footballer] Lionel Messi only shows up for the World Cup, and he meant that my experience allows me to step up for these big moments when all season I've been swimming a bit crap.
"He will hopefully agree that I've done that tonight."
And how. Clegg attacked the second 50m of the race with relish and pulled away from his rivals to post a time of 24.73 seconds, half a second quicker than he has gone all year.
It also upgraded the silver he won in Birmingham over the distance - achieved when he was not only four years younger, but in much better shape physically.
All that was playing through his mind as he stood on the podium, lip trembling and trying hard to keep his shape, as Flower of Scotland played.
"I was really struggling to keep it together," said Clegg, who had missed his sister's wedding amid the preparations for these Games. "Once the anthem started playing, I just started shaking and started to tear up a little bit.
"I'm a very emotional person, but I don't really let them out very often. And for me to show that emotion kind of, I think, speaks louder than words for me.
"Every time I tried to articulate it, I've fallen short of the actual feeling. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I think nothing in my career can really be that moment. Even winning gold at Paris."
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