Mona Vale swimmer AJ is on her way to the Commonwealth Games
For Para swimmer, Alyssa ‘AJ’ Gillespie, being announced as part of the 60-strong Dolphins team for the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games is a dream come true. “I’ve always loved swimming,” AJ says. “Four years ago I watched some of my really good friends race in Birmingham at the Commonwealth Games and it’s crazy to think that (now), four years later, that’s going to be me.”
It has been a quick rise for AJ, who is officially Dolphin #P332. She will join 17 other selected Australian Para swimmers in competing at the games in Glasgow from 23 July to 2 August.
AJ was in Year 8 and doing one swimming lesson a week when she made her first school national competition in 2022. Now, a Year 12 student at Pymble Ladies’ College, AJ has been smashing records. At a meet in New Zealand earlier this year she broke the record set by Para swimmer Ellie Cole in the 100m breaststroke. It was the 18 years SB8 record, which is AJ’s swimming classification.
“I was born with a condition called VACTERL, and it affects a lot of my body (including) my vertebrae, my limbs, heart, kidneys and other vital organs,” AJ explains. She has undergone 25 surgeries for the condition, which is described as a group of growth abnormalities which happen in the early stages of embryo development. “I have fused vertebrae in my neck and spine, so I have limited neck and trunk movement, so trying to breathe in the water is quite difficult.” The Mona Vale swimmer explains that she also has a range of motion restrictions in her right shoulder, one kidney and other internal issues, but it hasn’t stopped her from reaching her goals.
“I love that I can reach my highest potential (with swimming),” AJ says. “I can’t run, so it takes out a lot of sports, and I’m a very competitive person. So swimming is a very good place to channel that competitiveness, and I love to use my journey to inspire others…and open doors for new Para swimmers.”
AJ spends 25 hours a week training, which she fits in around studying for her HSC, and has dreams to make the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. But it is an expensive sport, particularly when it comes to travelling for swimming meets. “You have to wear a race suit. It’s a carbon fibre specially-made suit which has to be approved by an international body and they are probably $1,000 or more each, and they last three to six months at most,” AJ says. To help cover the costs, AJ has an Australian Sports Foundation fund, which can take donations.
For now, she’s excited to head off with the Australian team to Glasgow. “I’m going to race hard and enjoy every experience I can. It’ll be my first team and I’ll be a rookie, so just taking it all in and not letting the pressure get to me is my goal,” she says.
To support AJ in representing Australia, visit: asf.org.au/campaigns/alyssa-gillespie