Banned swimming girls to make Commonwealth Games dreams come true

Annette Cowley Neal Her dream of winning swimming gold at the 1986 Commonwealth Games was dashed by a political storm.

On the eve of the competition in Edinburgh, she was suspended from the competition and escorted from the athletes’ village by police.

But now, 40 years later, things come to a head as she watches her daughters compete in the Games.

Twins Georgia and Olivia Neal have been named in South Africa’s swimming squad for next month’s Games in Glasgow.

“It’s incredibly special that they’re both making the Commonwealth Games,” Cowley-Neal said.

“It’s going to be a very emotional time.”