Desborough para-swimmer set for Commonwealth Games debut
Written by HFM News on 24th July 2026
A para-swimmer from Desborough is preparing to represent Team England at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Bruce Dee will compete in the S7 50-metre freestyle next week after establishing himself as one of the country’s leading para-swimmers.
The 20-year-old, who has dwarfism, made his international debut in 2024 before being selected for the Team GB squad at the Paris Paralympic Games later that year.
Bruce Dee is preparing to represent Team England at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Pic: Team England
Bruce enjoyed a breakthrough at his first European Championships, winning silver in the S6 200m individual medley, before adding another silver at the World Championships the following year as part of the mixed 4x100m medley relay team.
His rise to the top in the pool continued in December 2025 when he set a new S6 100m breaststroke world record, just a month after being named Para Swimming Emerging Athlete of the Year by Aquatics GB.
Bruce will take to the pool at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre on Wednesday and says representing England feels especially personal.
He said: “Getting to represent England is like something I’ve never had before as I’ve normally been representing Great Britain, but I feel this is more personal.
“Hopefully I can do well and I’m quite excited to be supporting the team. I think it’s going to be good vibes and the crowd will be loud.”
Bruce is preparing to represent Team England at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Pic: Team England
Meanwhile, fellow Desborough athlete Lauren Mackie made an impressive start to her Commonwealth Games campaign after becoming the first English boxer to step into the ring at Glasgow 2026.
The 20-year-old defeated Kenya’s Amina Faki by unanimous points decision, comfortably outboxing her opponent to book her place in the next round.
Lauren Mackie Pic: Team England
Lauren had the honour of contesting the opening bout of the entire Games and showed no signs of nerves as she was cheered on by her Team England team-mates.
