Dubai Telegraph - Peaty begins quest for more Commonwealth gold, Aussie swimmers set for bonus

With the programme nearly halved to just 10 sports after Glasgow, which also hosted in 2014, stepped in to save the Games after the Australian state of Victoria pulled out, swimming is the highlight of the schedule across the opening weekend.

Scott is hoping to land Scotland's first gold on home soil in the 200 metre individual medley final on Friday evening but was far from happy after only qualifying fifth fastest.

"It is far from ideal, but it is a championship competition. The time goes out the window," said Scott, who won Olympic silver in the 200m medley in Paris two years ago and gold in the 4x200m freestyle relay.

"It is so cool, so many saltires (Scottish flags) kicking about. Just trying to soak it all up."

Ramsay-Peaty is back at the scene of his first international medals at the 2014 Games looking to add to his haul of seven Commonwealth medals in the 50m and 100m breaststroke.

The Englishman was not distracted after a delay to his 100m heat after a lane marker came loose to power through into tonight's semi-finals.

Australia are red hot favourites to land gold in both the men's and women's 100m freestyle in the evening session and cruised into both finals as fastest in the field.

Aussie swimmers dominated in Birmingham four years ago, taking home nearly half of the 52 gold medals on offer and have extra incentive to perform once more in Glasgow.

Mining baron Gina Rinehart, Australia's richest person, is funding an incentive scheme of 20,000 Australian dollars ($14,000) for every gold medal and 30,000 Australian dollars for breaking a world record.

"These bonuses are a way of Australia saying thank you and showing the appreciation our athletes deserve for bringing our country such a sense of pride and achievement,” billionaire Rinehart said in a statement published by Swimming Western Australia on Friday.

"There is something very uplifting about seeing an Australian athlete stand on the podium while our flag is raised. Such exciting times make Australians proud and deserve to be celebrated."

Outside the pool, Olympic champion Rhys McClenaghan made a solid start to quest for pommel horse gold with the highest score of the morning's gymnastics qualifying session.

England are looking to hold off Australia and Scotland to retain gymnastics gold in the men's team final in the evening session.

H.El-Qemzy--DT