Commonwealth Games: Para-swimmer Rebecca Redfern to race in Glasgow after March birth

By shortening his training time, Redfern will run over 50m instead of his preferred 100m distance – just as he did in Birmingham four years ago.

Despite the physical challenges all mothers face after childbirth, the 2024 Paralympic gold medalist has adapted quickly to life in the pool.

“I haven’t made the full 100 yet so it’s just sticking with the 50 and sticking with the pace,” he explained.

“I actually surprised myself. I thought I might be crashing, but I actually picked up a lot of speed.

“I worked closely with the physios on the training I was doing to make sure I wasn’t overworking it and it just seemed to fall all over the place.”

The switch to hosting the Games in Glasgow after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew meant Redfern would have childcare.

“I’m still breastfeeding, so the team really helped and put me up in a hotel so I could have the little one with me,” she said.

“Australia would have been absolutely incredible but being a bit closer to home has worked out really well for me.”