“I think it’s really nice that we push each other on,” Elodie Riley said having just raced her sister in the heats of 200m freestyle at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Seventeen-year-old Elodie was edged out by her 19-year-old sister Delphine in their heat at Glasgow’s Tollcross pool on Saturday morning.
But despite big sister ensuring family bragging rights, having your sibling alongside you appears to be an advantage.
“Coming to a massive international event like this, it’s nice to have some sort of familiarity to ease us into it,” added Elodie.
“We’ve never done anything like this before so it’s definitely nice to race alongside my sister.”
Delphine’s time of 2:11.01 was 0.67 faster than Elodie as she finished fifth in her heat, two places above Elodie.
They ended the event 28th and 30th respectively in a field of 36 that was headed by Australia Olympic gold medallist Lani Pallister.
“I’ve never been to a meet this big before,” said Delphine.
“I went to the Youth Commonwealth Games in Trinidad, which was also amazing.
“But this is an incredible atmosphere and such big names racing it’s just amazing to watch and just watch them on poolside.”
The pair were also in the same heat for the 400m freestyle on Friday and will also compete in the 800m freestyle on Tuesday.
“I’m feeling very inspired to hopefully aim for the next Commonwealth Games as well,” said Elodie.
“I’d really love to do this again, it’s been an amazing experience.”
