When Emma McKeon touched the wall at Birmingham 2022, she didn’t just win another medal. She became the most decorated athlete in Commonwealth Games history – 20 medals total, a record that stands untouchable.
Swimming has dominated her achievements with 14 golds, but McKeon’s presence alone reveals something crucial about Commonwealth Games winners: they’re not random.
Australia produces them systematically, relentlessly, and by margins that make other nations look like they’re competing in a different league entirely.
This guide covers everything you need to know about who actually wins at the Commonwealth Games, why certain countries and athletes dominate, and what’s changing when Glasgow hosts in 2026.
The All-Time Record Holder: Emma McKeon’s Historic 20 Medals
Emma McKeon stands alone at the top of the all-time medal count – 20 medals across three consecutive Commonwealth Games from 2014 to 2022.
She won 14 golds, 1 silver, and 5 bronzes, nearly all from swimming where she competed in freestyle and relay events.
What makes this record genuinely historic is not just the number, but the consistency.
McKeon showed up to three separate games and each time was among Australia’s medal leaders.
Emma McKeon’s Medal Breakdown by Games
| Games | Year | Location | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| XX Commonwealth Games | 2014 | Glasgow | 4 | 1 | 2 | 7 |
| XXI Commonwealth Games | 2018 | Gold Coast | 2 | – | 1 | 3 |
| XXII Commonwealth Games | 2022 | Birmingham | 8 | – | – | 8 |
| Career Total | 2014-2022 | – | 14 | 1 | 5 | 20 |
The closest competitor isn’t even close. South African swimmer Chad Le Clos sits at 18 medals (7 gold, 4 silver, 7 bronze) across four Commonwealth Games from 2010 to 2022.
Shooters Phillip Adams and Mick Gault also hit 18, but across a span that required competing at six consecutive games. McKeon achieved her record in half that time, which tells you everything about her dominance.
When McKeon swam the 4x100m freestyle relay at Birmingham 2022, Australian women swept the podium 1-2-3. That wasn’t unusual for her. The real significance of her 20-medal record is what it represents: the depth and consistency of Australian swimming talent.
If one of their best swimmers can accumulate 20 medals across just three games, imagine the pipeline that produces three or four swimmers like her simultaneously.
Which Countries Win Most? Australia’s Overwhelming Dominance
All-Time Commonwealth Games Medal Table (Top 15 Nations)
| Rank | Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total | Games Hosted |
| 1 | Australia | 1,003 | 834 | 767 | 2,604 | 5 |
| 2 | England | 773 | 783 | 766 | 2,322 | 7 |
| 3 | Canada | 510 | 548 | 589 | 1,647 | 3 |
| 4 | India | 203 | 190 | 171 | 564 | 1 |
| 5 | South Africa | 179 | 232 | 295 | 706 | – |
| 6 | New Zealand | 137 | 132 | 147 | 416 | – |
| 7 | Kenya | 96 | 100 | 125 | 321 | – |
| 8 | Malaysia | 79 | 66 | 82 | 227 | 1 |
| 9 | Wales | 70 | 60 | 82 | 212 | – |
| 10 | Scotland | 58 | 64 | 78 | 200 | 3 |
| 11 | Jamaica | 57 | 76 | 98 | 231 | – |
| 12 | Pakistan | 56 | 57 | 88 | 201 | – |
| 13 | Northern Ireland | 49 | 55 | 79 | 183 | – |
| 14 | Sri Lanka | 42 | 55 | 95 | 192 | – |
| 15 | Fiji | 39 | 45 | 73 | 157 | – |
Australia has 1,003 gold medals all-time – nearly twice England’s 773 and nearly double Canada’s 510. When you look at total medals, the gap widens even more. Australia has 2,604 medals compared to England’s 2,322 and Canada’s 1,647.
What’s striking isn’t just the numbers. It’s the consistency. Australia has topped the medal table at 12 out of the last 13 Commonwealth Games.
The only exception was 2014 in Glasgow when England won more golds on home soil. Every other time since 1990? Australia. That’s 23 years of dominance with one asterisk.
Historical Host Advantage Analysis
| Host Country | Year | Host Gold | 2nd Place Gold | Medal Gap | Hosting Impact |
| Australia | 2018 | 80 | 28 (Canada) | +52 | Significant boost |
| Australia | 2006 | 84 | 29 (England) | +55 | Significant boost |
| England | 2022 | 57 | 67 (Australia) | -10 | Lost despite hosting |
| England | 2014 | 58 | 53 (Australia) | +5 | Won narrowly |
| Scotland | 2014 | 43 | 58 (England) | -15 | Lost despite hosting |
England deserves credit as the historical second power. They hosted the first Commonwealth Games in 1930 (then called the British Empire Games) and have topped the medal table seven times across the entire history.
But if you look at recent decades, England’s dominance came before 1990. After that, it became Australia’s competition to lose.
Canada sits third all-time with 1,647 medals but has shown upward momentum in recent games, particularly in swimming where athletes like Summer McIntosh have emerged as gold medal factories.
South Africa rounds out the immediate tier below with 706 medals, driven historically by swimmer Chad Le Clos’s achievements and shooter prowess.
Why Australia Wins So Much: The Strategy Behind the Medals
Australia’s dominance isn’t accidental. It stems from three systematic advantages.
First: Swimming Culture
Australia’s climate creates year-round outdoor pool access. But more importantly, the nation has built elite aquatic centers and developed coaching pipelines that identify talented swimmers young and nurture them for international competition.
When Australian women swept the 4x100m freestyle relay at Birmingham 2022, they weren’t flukes. They were the visible tip of a development system that churns out talented swimmers faster than most nations can identify them.
Second: Systematic Athlete Development
Australia invests in government funding for sports scholarships, creates pyramid development systems that identify talent early, and maintains consistent Olympic and Commonwealth training camps. This isn’t luck. It’s infrastructure.
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Young athletes don’t stumble into Commonwealth medals – they’re identified by scouts, trained at subsidized facilities, and coached by people hired specifically to develop international competitors.
Third: Consistency Across Sports
Unlike nations that might win 10 golds in swimming and nothing else, Australia medals across roughly 12-14 different sports.
They win golds in athletics, cycling, weightlifting, netball, hockey, and shooting alongside their swimming dominance. This breadth means when one sport has an off-year, others carry the load.
Australian Medal Distribution by Sport (Birmingham 2022)
| Sport | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total | % of Golds |
| Swimming & Para-Swimming | 33 | 18 | 10 | 61 | 49% |
| Track Cycling & Para | 8 | 5 | 2 | 15 | 12% |
| Athletics & Para-Athletics | 7 | 4 | 5 | 16 | 10% |
| Weightlifting & Para-Powerlifting | 5 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 7% |
| Artistic Gymnastics | 4 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 6% |
| Other Sports (Netball, Hockey, etc) | 10 | 26 | 35 | 71 | 16% |
| Total | 67 | 57 | 54 | 178 | 100% |
Add in home advantage – Australia hosted in 2006 and 2018 with massive medal hauls – and the picture becomes complete.
Australia won the medal table at both home games by huge margins because competing at home amplifies every advantage they already have.
Most Decorated Athletes Across History
All-Time Medal Winners in Commonwealth Games
| Rank | Athlete | Country | Sport | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total | Years Competed |
| 1 | Emma McKeon | Australia | Swimming | 14 | 1 | 5 | 20 | 2014-2022 |
| 2 | Chad Le Clos | South Africa | Swimming | 7 | 4 | 7 | 18 | 2010-2022 |
| 3 | Phillip Adams | Australia | Shooting | 7 | 9 | 2 | 18 | 1982-2002 |
| 4 | Mick Gault | England | Shooting | 9 | 4 | 5 | 18 | 1994-2014 |
| 5 | Leisel Jones | Australia | Swimming | 11 | – | – | 11 | 2002-2010 |
| 6 | Ian Thorpe | Australia | Swimming | 9 | 1 | – | 10 | 1998-2002 |
| 7 | Susie O’Neill | Australia | Swimming | 10 | – | – | 10 | 1990-1998 |
| 8 | Michael Vincent Wenden | Australia | Swimming | 9 | – | – | 9 | 1966-1974 |
| 9 | Petria Ann Thomas | Australia | Swimming | 9 | – | – | 9 | 1994-2002 |
| 10 | Alicia Coutts | Australia | Swimming | 9 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 2010-2014 |
What jumps out from this list is swimming’s dominance. Three of the top four medal winners competed in swimming.
Before McKeon, Leisel Jones held the record at 11 gold medals across 2002, 2006, and 2010. Ian Thorpe won 9 golds across 1998 and 2002. Susie O’Neill won 10 golds across 1990, 1994, and 1998.
The pattern reveals why Australia’s pool talent matters: swimming events are numerous, medals are distributed across individual and relay competitions, and Australian swimmers compete across multiple disciplines (freestyle, medley, relays).
A single elite swimmer can accumulate medals faster in swimming than almost any other sport.
Top Performing Sports by Medal Production
| Sport | Total Medals (All-Time) | Primary Winning Nations | Gold Dominance |
| Swimming | 3,200+ | Australia, England, Canada | Australia 35% |
| Athletics | 1,800+ | Australia, England, Kenya | Balanced |
| Weightlifting | 650+ | Australia, India, Canada | Varied |
| Cycling | 580+ | Australia, England, New Zealand | Australia 28% |
| Badminton | 320+ | Malaysia, India, England | Varied |
| Netball | 300+ | Australia, Jamaica, New Zealand | Australia 50% |
| Shooting | 290+ | Australia, England, Canada | Balanced |
| Gymnastics | 280+ | Australia, England, Canada | Balanced |
| Squash | 260+ | Australia, Egypt, Pakistan | Balanced |
| Lawn Bowls | 240+ | Australia, England, Scotland | Balanced |
Notable Winners from Birmingham 2022 (The Latest Games)
Emma McKeon’s dominance defined Birmingham 2022. Beyond her individual 8 medals at the single games (6 golds, 1 silver, 1 bronze), her presence meant Australia swept medals across freestyle events.
Australian women won 14 of 15 available medals in individual freestyle competitions – that’s not dominance, that’s occupation.
Birmingham 2022 Top Performers by Medal Count
| Rank | Athlete | Country | Sport | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| 1 | Emma McKeon | Australia | Swimming | 6 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| 2 | Tom Dean | England | Swimming | 3 | 2 | 2 | 7 |
| 3 | Duncan Scott | Scotland | Swimming | 3 | 2 | – | 5 |
| 4 | Summer McIntosh | Canada | Swimming | 3 | – | – | 3 |
| 5 | Alex Yee | England | Triathlon | 2 | – | – | 2 |
Beyond McKeon, Scottish swimmer Duncan Scott emerged as a standout male performer, while Tom Dean (England) won 7 medals in the pool.
Canadian Summer McIntosh marked her Commonwealth Games debut with multiple medals, signaling the next generation of North American swimming talent.
The 2022 games in Birmingham also marked a significant shift in Commonwealth Games format. For the first time, there were more women’s competitive events than men’s events. This represented genuine progress in sports equity.
Additionally, Birmingham 2022 featured the largest integrated para-sport program in Commonwealth Games history, with 8 para-sports including para-swimming, para-athletics, and para-powerlifting.
Athletes like Bethany Firth (Great Britain, Swimming) won gold medals competing at the highest para-sport level, proving the Commonwealth Games’ commitment to inclusive competition.
Looking Ahead: Glasgow 2026 and New Medal Opportunities
Glasgow 2026 Games Format Overview
| Element | Details |
| Dates | July 23 – August 2, 2026 |
| Location | Glasgow, Scotland (4th time Scotland hosts) |
| Total Sports | 10 sports across 4 concentrated venues |
| Gold Medals | 215+ up for grabs |
| Participating Nations | 74 nations and territories |
| Para-Sport Events | 47 events (Commonwealth Games record) |
| New Debuting Events | Men’s 800m freestyle, Women’s 1500m freestyle (swimming), Return of Commonwealth Mile (athletics – first since 1966) |
| Special Feature | Compact venue design within 8-mile corridor |
The 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow, Scotland from July 23 to August 2, and the format changes create fascinating implications for who might win.
Ten sports across four concentrated venues will feature 215+ medals up for grabs. But here’s what makes 2026 unique: the return of the Commonwealth Mile – a legendary event that hasn’t been on the schedule since 1966.
This race carries historical weight. In 1954 at the Vancouver Commonwealth Games, England’s Roger Bannister and Australia’s John Landy raced the “Miracle Mile,” with Bannister passing Landy in the final seconds after both men broke the four-minute-mile barrier for the first time in history.
Sixty-two years later, the Mile returns, and distance runners worldwide are anticipating a moment of nostalgia mixed with world-class competition.
Swimming will feature the biggest program ever, with new events like the men’s 800m freestyle and women’s 1500m freestyle making their Commonwealth Games debuts.
Para-sport expands to 47 medal events, a Commonwealth Games record that promises more opportunities for para-athletes from smaller nations.
Glasgow 2026 Sports Schedule
- 3×3 Basketball & 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball
- Artistic Gymnastics
- Athletics & Para-Athletics (featuring return of Commonwealth Mile)
- Bowls & Para Bowls (indoor format)
- Boxing
- Judo
- Netball
- Swimming & Para-Swimming (largest program ever)
- Track Cycling & Para Track Cycling
- Weightlifting & Para Powerlifting
Australia will certainly chase medals, but Glasgow’s location – Scotland’s largest city – gives Britain a home advantage they’ll want to capitalize on. The Australian Diamonds netball team will look to win back-to-back golds.
Adam Peaty (England) will defend his 50m breaststroke title if he competes. And smaller nations with emerging talent in newly expanded para-sports categories will get genuine medal opportunities that felt impossible before.
Expected Medal Contenders for Glasgow 2026
| Nation | Key Opportunities | Notable Athletes |
| Australia | Swimming (dominance), Netball, Cycling | Emma McKeon (if competing), Opals netball team |
| England | Track cycling, athletics, swimming, home advantage | Adam Peaty (swimming), home soil bonus |
| Canada | Swimming, cycling | Summer McIntosh (rising star) |
| Scotland | Home advantage factor, athletics (distance events) | Eilish McColgan (distance runner) |
| New Zealand | Netball, rugby sevens | Silver Ferns netball team |
| South Africa | Swimming (Chad Le Clos potential), athletics | Chad Le Clos (if competing at age 32) |
Key Takeaways: Commonwealth Games Winners Follow Patterns
When you step back from individual records and country rankings, a clear pattern emerges.
Commonwealth Games winners come from nations with systematic athlete development, countries that invest in specific sports (Australia in swimming, for instance), and competitors who specialize enough to compete in multiple events.
Emma McKeon didn’t win 20 medals by accident. Australia doesn’t top the medal table by luck. The Commonwealth Games reward preparation, infrastructure, and consistency.
The next time you see medal counts from Glasgow 2026, you’ll know exactly what you’re watching: not random success, but the visible result of invisible systems operating efficiently in nations that treat international sports competition as something worth investing in.
FAQs
Who has won the most Commonwealth Games medals?
Emma McKeon (Australia) with 20 medals total – 14 gold, 1 silver, 5 bronze from swimming (2014-2022).
Which country has won the most Commonwealth Games medals?
Australia, with 2,604 medals (1,003 gold) across all games since 1930. England is second with 2,322 medals.
Has anyone won more than 20 medals at Commonwealth Games?
No. Emma McKeon is the all-time most-decorated athlete at 20 medals. Chad Le Clos (South Africa) and shooters Phillip Adams and Mick Gault are tied at 18.
Why does Australia win so many medals at Commonwealth Games?
Strong swimming culture, systematic youth development programs, government sports funding, and consistent dominance across multiple sports (not just one or two).
How many gold medals has Australia won at Commonwealth Games?
1,003 gold medals all-time – nearly 3x more than England (773) and significantly more than Canada (510).
When is the next Commonwealth Games?
Glasgow, Scotland, July 23 – August 2, 2026. It will feature 10 sports and return the legendary Commonwealth Mile for the first time since 1966.
Who won the most medals at Birmingham 2022?
Emma McKeon (Australia) with 8 medals in swimming. She won 6 golds, 1 silver, 1 bronze at that single games.
What sports produce the most Commonwealth Games medals?
Swimming dominates the medal count – Australian swimmers alone account for hundreds of medals. Track cycling, athletics, and weightlifting also major medal sources.
Did Birmingham 2022 change Commonwealth Games format?
Yes. It was the first Commonwealth Games with more women’s events than men’s events and the largest para-sport program ever (8 sports with para-athletes integrated).
Will Glasgow 2026 be different from Birmingham 2022?
Yes. Glasgow 2026 will feature the return of the Commonwealth Mile (first time since 1966), expanded para-sport events (47 total), new swimming events (men’s 800m and women’s 1500m freestyle debuts), and indoor bowls instead of outdoor lawn bowls.
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