Scottish Archie Goodburn broke down in tears after competing in the men’s 50m breaststroke final on Monday.
The swimmer spoke about a cause close to his heart after he exited the pool.
Goodburn fought back the tears and he delivered a powerful message about his dreams outside of the water, where brain cancer isn’t the biggest killer of those under 40, two years on from his own diagnosis.
View 3 ImagesArchie Goodburn of team Scotland competes in the semi final of the Men’s 50m Breaststroke during day three of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games at Tollcross International Swimming Centre
Although finishing seventh, or as he put it ‘joint last’ in the race, Edinburgh born Goodburn stole the show.
Before entering the water Goodburn received a huge ovation from the crowds, as his team mates called him “inspirational”.
In 2024, the Scottish 50m breaststroke record holder found out the devastating news of his diagnosis.
He had been facing some issues impacting his training including seizures and numbness on his left side.
View 3 ImagesArchie Goodburn finished seventh in the Men’s 50m Breaststroke final at Glasgow 2026, two years after being told he has incurable brain cancer.
Then, after getting out of the pool he made a call to a doctor after some tests and was told he had brain cancer and may not make it to his 40s.
He was just 22-years-old.
After competing in the Commonwealth Games final on Monday, Goodburn broke down in to tears as he drew attention to his disease.
He said: “Outside the pool I dream of a future where brain cancer isn’t the biggest killer of those under 40.
“Where the UK government establish a brain cancer lead to make that change.
“I’d much prefer that change is made and that dream is completed than any of my personal goals in the pool because what families and young people are going through out there is really beyond the comprehension of many people out there and certainly harder than anything I’ve had to do as a world class sportsman.”
View 3 ImagesArchie Goodburn of Scotland following his Men’s 50m Breaststroke final at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre
Goodburn has been having new treatments, which he fought to be able to receive, and they have slowed down the growth of his tumours.
The swimmer recently graduated from Edinburgh University with a first in chemical engineering.
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After qualifying for the final he told BBC Sport Scotland that the past 24 hours has been “pretty indescribable”.
Goodburn added: “Usually the words flow easily, but I’m finding myself quite speechless.”