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Commonwealth Games: Jibb, Gill Earn Canada’s First Medals in Para Swimming
Teenagers Astrid Carroll and Ursula Carroll will make their international debuts for Scotland and England respectively at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, representing rival nations despite being sisters.
Both swimmers have Stargardt disease, a rare condition causing progressive central vision loss. Astrid explains the degenerative eye condition requires them to "count the amount of strokes and then know that amount and then turn" rather than rely on visual cues.
While Astrid normally competes in the S12 category and Ursula in S13, Commonwealth Games rules require visually impaired athletes to swim in one unified category, enabling their first head-to-head competitive meet.
Astrid noted it will be "nice walking out and just seeing you," while Ursula views their rivalry as a motivational opportunity, with the sisters joking about the family divide despite competitive intensity.
Athletes from across the Commonwealth have gathered in Glasgow for the 2026 Games, which feature medal events in multiple sports. The Carrolls' debut exemplifies the unique competitive challenges these international Games present.