Aussie backstroker determined to forge her own path.

That’s the thing about expectation.

You don’t have to wear it.

Not when you can wear your ancestry and identity all in 10 painted fingernails.

Rising star Iona Anderson, with her nails painted green and tartan, will step into the arena at Tollcross Stadium today as one of the favourites for the women’s 200m backstroke.

With the GOAT of backstroke Kaylee McKeown missing from this year’s 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, suddenly Anderson is in the frame for multiple podium finishes.

And while wearing the green and gold of the Dolphins, the 20-year-old is carrying a bit of tartan with her as a nod to her Scottish heritage.

The hint is in her name.

Iona.

A tiny island off the southwest coast of Mull, in Scotland’s Inner Hebrides. So tiny in fact, that it has less than 170 residents. 

Iona. The name Dolphin number #854 answers to.

Despite never visiting, Anderson has had a lifelong connection to this narrow stretch of land, with her mum choosing the island as her daughter’s maiden name 20 years ago. 

“My mum just always loved the name,” Anderson said. 

Two decades later, that name is about to carry her into Glasgow’s Tollcross International Swimming Centre as the West Australian makes her Commonwealth Games debut. 

She’ll be racing in the country her family comes from, and for the first time in years, they’ll actually be there to watch.

The only time Anderson’s extended family saw her race live was back in 2017, at her first national championships, when they were visiting Australia at the time.

This time, they don’t have to travel, with her grandparents in the stands willing her towards the wall.  

“I’ve got a lot of extended family there who are excited to come and watch,” Anderson said. 

“I know how much it means to them to be able to cheer me on from home. It’s not that far away for them.”

This is Anderson’s third time in Scotland however, the island she’s named for has stayed just out of reach through all of it.

There is no trip planned this time either, with her sight-seeing being put to the side with the focus solely on the pool.

After 25 years in Perth, Anderson’s mum’s strong accent still gives away her ancestry.

“Every time she comes back here, everyone says it gets stronger,” Anderson said. 

“I don’t really notice it any more, unless we’re around a lot of Scottish people. My dad sounds Australian though, he’s the one who gets teased about it.”

And while Anderson will be doing everything she can for the green and gold, she carries a touch of Scotland into the water.

Anderson’s program includes the women’s 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke, plus medley relay duties. 

Racing begins today at Tollcross on 24 July, the first time Anderson races on Scottish soil with her family watching from the stands, in the country that gave her her name.

The swimming competition gets under way on day one of competition, on Friday 24 July 2026, with all sessions broadcast live and free on 7 and 7Plus.

The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games take place from Friday 24 July to Sunday 2 August, 2026.