Ian Thorpe’s 400m Freestyle Record Under Threat at Commonwealth Games 2026

Ian Thorpe’s 22-year-old Commonwealth Games 400m freestyle record is in the crosshairs at Glasgow 2026. Sam Short, the reigning world champion, has the 3:40.08 standard in his sights after smashing his own best at the Australian Trials in Sydney on 14 June.

What’s at stake for Ian Thorpe?

Thorpe’s 3:40.08 from Manchester 2002 still stands as the Commonwealth and Commonwealth Games record. That mark was a world record at the time, set when Thorpe was just 19. Short, who wasn’t born when Thorpe swam it, now has a personal best of 3:40.67 and is openly chasing the record.

Who else is in the mix?

Germany’s Lukas Martens joins the showdown. Martens holds the world record at 3:39.96, set in Stockholm on 12 April 2025. His time sliced 0.08 seconds off Paul Biedermann’s 2009 “supersuit” mark. Short’s splits in Sydney showed he’s capable of going faster than Thorpe’s record pace.

What did the rivals say?

Short admitted he visualizes Thorpe in the next lane. “When I rewatch my races, the world-record line is right there,” he told reporters in Darmstadt on 2 July. “So I’ve thought about it. It’s definitely one of my goals.” Thorpe, now a pundit, backed Short’s bid. “What stood out was how Sam has set himself up for a performance well under 3:40,” Thorpe said after the Trials. “For me that is exciting.”

When does the race go down?

The Commonwealth Games open in Glasgow on 23 July. Swimming starts on 24 July, with the men’s 400m freestyle final scheduled for 25 July. Short and the 59-strong Australian Dolphins squad are in final prep in Darmstadt, sharpening their taper ahead of the showdown.