“This is a challenge I’m really enjoying exploring alongside my triathlon career.” Lucy Charles-Barclay qualifies for Commonwealth Games swim event trials

Ironman athlete Lucy Charles-Barclay has improved her 1,500m freestyle swim time by a huge 21 seconds in just 19 days – and qualified for the Commonwealth Games trials at the same time.

Competing at the Ponds Forge International Sports Centre on Friday 13 March, Charles-Barclay recorded a time of 17:08, marking a significant improvement from her previous race where she won the Essex County Championships in 17:29 at The London Aquatics Centre on 22nd February. 

Despite being a multi-discipline athlete, Charles-Barclay’s time now ranks her within the top 10 of female British athletes this year, and as a result of Charles-Barclay’s rapid return to racing and a remarkable improvement in performance over the past few weeks, she has secured her place at the Commonwealth Games trials, which will take place April 14–19 at the London Aquatics Centre. 

Recent surgery

The performance is particularly remarkable given that just weeks earlier Charles-Barclay underwent surgery to remove her plantaris tendon, a procedure that typically requires around six weeks in a protective moon boot. Despite the expected recovery timeline, she returned to the pool ahead of schedule and has rapidly built momentum in training and competition.

While globally recognised as one of the world’s leading triathletes, Charles-Barclay’s sporting roots lie firmly in swimming. Before transitioning to triathlon, she competed as a long-distance swimmer, and the Commonwealth Games trials now offer an opportunity to go up against the best long-distance swimmers in the country while continuing to compete at the highest level in triathlon.

Next month’s event will see Charles-Barclay take part as a multisport athlete stepping into an individual discipline, something rarely seen at the elite level. The approach reflects a growing conversation around athletes exploring performance across sporting formats, similar to Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee, who competed in the London Marathon in 2025 alongside his triathlon career.

New challenge

Speaking about her time and qualifying for the trials, Lucy said:

“I’m really pleased with how the last few weeks have gone. To take 21 seconds off my time in just 19 days has given me a lot of confidence in the work we’re doing.

Swimming has always been a huge part of my sporting journey, so it’s exciting to step back into the pool environment and see what’s possible. I’ll be heading into the Commonwealth Games trials as a multisport athlete competing in an individual sport, which is a challenge I’m really enjoying exploring alongside my triathlon career.”

Charles-Barclay will continue to balance the project alongside her primary focus on triathlon as she prepares for the trials next month in London.