'Why am I here?' - Inspirational Archie Goodburn gives moving message after incredible swimming feat at 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games
Updated 27/07/2026 at 23:57 GMT+1
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By any metric, Archie Goodburn's participation at this summer's Glasgow Commonwealth Games is a feat hard to surmise with words alone. The Team Scotland swimmer was diagnosed with inoperable and incurable brain cancer just over two years ago.
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On Monday, he walked out to a rousing reception at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre, in his home nation, where he competed in the men's 50m breaststroke final along the likes of three-time Olympic gold medallist Adam Ramsay-Peaty and Australian star Sam Williamson.
Goodburn has continued to push the limit of Scottish swimming success despite the condition - which is incurable, but the growth of the tumours has been slowed by breakthrough treatment.
In February, he set a new national record of 27.12, and came through the heats and semi-finals to reach Monday's showpiece event.
Goodburn ultimately finished joint-seventh in the final, tying Canada's Oliver Dawson with a time of 27.42.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the race, Goodburn had an inspirational message for others who may be facing similar setbacks to his own, and how he powered through to return to the pinnacle of elite competition.
"Whenever you’re going through something difficult or a setback, take a step back, look at what it is you’re aiming for," Goodburn told TNT Sports.
"Find the purpose in what you’re doing, you know if I apply that to my position, whether that’s a treatment regime, training regime, a doctor's consultation, why am I there? What am I chasing?
"I’m chasing a chance to do things I love, when I’m in the pool, I’m training for moments like these, to swim in front of supportive crowds, swim in front of my family, amazing team-mates.
"When I’m in the hospital I’m working towards extending my life, I’m making memories and looking to make as many milestones in my life as possible.
"Moments like this is why we go through the tough times, so take a step back and try and find that purpose and I think that gets me out of bed in the morning."
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Goodburn, who also competes in 100m and 200m breaststroke events, has won two European bronze medals and three pieces of British silverware - the latest coming in London, last year in the 50m breaststroke event.
Monday saw a fiercely competitive 50m final, with less than a second separating first and last - and England's Ramsay-Peaty forced to settle for third after strong performances by Williamson and South Africa's Michael Houlie.
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