Alexa Leary ruled out of Glasgow after S9 to S10 move
Alexa Leary is out of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after a late reclassification by the International Paralympic Committee moved her from S9 to S10. The 24-year-old had been set to make her Commonwealth Games debut in Scotland. Instead, the class switch leaves her without a workable path into the condensed swimming program.
Leary and Glasgow
The problem is simple. For S10 athletes, Glasgow offers only the 200m individual medley, and Leary does not contest that event. She is the reigning world record holder in S9 sprint freestyle, but the program does not include a sprint race she can enter from her new class.
That is what ended her debut chance. The move from S9 to S10 took her out of the category that matched her sprint freestyle strength and put her into a single-event lane that does not fit her program.
Australia’s 18-strong team
Australia has already named an 18-strong team for Glasgow, with seven debutants in the squad. Mia Hogan, 14, is expected to represent the Dolphins at the event and spoke about joining a team that includes more experienced swimmers.
She said, "I am so excited to join the Dolphins at the Commonwealth Games, to wear the green and gold, it's something I've dreamed about,". Hogan added, "I've learned so much from the more experienced swimmers." She also said, "I've already known Lucky and I've met Lani Pallister, and I'm really looking forward to joining them on team and racing on such a big stage."
Sydney trials and June 13
The full Australian contingent heading to Scotland will be finalised after the national swimming trials in Sydney, which conclude on June 13. That leaves the squad still open at the margins, even as Leary’s Glasgow path has already closed under the current class and program setup.
For Leary, the immediate reality is blunt: the category move removed her from the event that would have marked her Commonwealth Games debut. For Australia, the team heading to Scotland will keep changing until the Sydney trials end on June 13.
