Just as they did at the last Commonwealth Games in New Delhi four years ago, Australia finished top of the swimming medal table in Glasgow, winning 19 gold, 21 silver and 17 bronze medals.

Bertrand paid tribute to the efforts of the athletes in the pool but also their behaviour away from the water in light of what happened during London 2012 when their campaign was dogged by disharmony and reports of alcohol abuse and drug taking.

"There has been much written about the success of the Australian swim team in the pool in Glasgow - a record 57 medals as a team and six days of sensational swimming, teamwork and camaraderie," said Bertrand.

"Although we have a long way to go with much to learn, there's no doubt Glasgow was a major step forward.

"In the pool, the performances and particularly the racing from our 59 athletes was terrific, but I'd also like to acknowledge just how well the Australian swim team conducted themselves outside the pool as part of the wider Australian Commonwealth Games team.

"Not only our athletes, but our coaches, and support staff.

"They were a credit to our sport."

Australia's 4x100m women's freestyle relay team were the only gold medallists in the pool at London 2012 ©Getty Images




The praise comes after a review into Australia's worst swimming performance at an Olympics since Barcelona 1992 when the team won just one gold medal, six silver and three bronze.

A review led by former Australian Sports Minister Warwick Smith found a "culturally toxic" environment existed in the team in the build-up to and during London 2012 that saw flouting of curfews and bullying.

It also found that team morale was undermined by schoolboy pranks, inflated egos, a lack of team unity and unrealistic expectations.

The conduct of the men's 4x100 metres relay team of James Magnussen, Eamon Sullivan, James Roberts, Matt Targett, Tommaso D'Orsogna and Cameron McEvoy was criticised in particular and they were threatened with a ban and loss of funding after admitting to using Stilnox - a prescription medication used for the treatment of insomnia banned by the Australian Olympic Committee - during a training camp in Manchester prior to London 2012.

Female swimmer Jade Nielsen complained that she was subjected to "inappropriate behaviour" by Magnussen, Roberts and McEvoy that included late night phone calls, door knocking and general disruptive behaviour.

Magnussen won 100m individual freestyle gold in Glasgow while he, D'Orsogna and McEvoy were part of the successful 4x100m freestyle squad.

McEvoy was also part of the gold medal winning 4x200m freestyle team.

Swimming is seen as traditionally one of Australia's strongest sports but the entire Olympic team at London 2012 was criticised for poor performances.

The medal haul of 35 was the country's lowest in 20 years and the team were accused of wasting taxpayer's money and being more focused on leisure than success.

James Magnussen was one of the swimmers threatened with a ban following a review of athlete behaviour at London 2012 ©Getty Images




As a result of the debacle at London 2012, Swimming Australia underwent a raft of changes to key personnel which has seen the appointments of former British head of swimming Michael Scott as their new high performance director and Dutchman Jacco Verhaeren as the country's new head coach.

Former Hockey Australia boss Mark Anderson replaced Kevin Neil as the governing body's chief executive in April last year, while Bertrand replaced Barclay Nettlefold last August after the former President was forced to stand down after allegedly making lewd comments to female colleagues.

Bertrand claims "much progress has been made" as a result of the "revolution" Swimming Australia has undergone in the past two years and believes that the country is on track to become the number one swimming nation in the world by its stated target of 2020.

"Over the last 12 months, our chief executive Mark Anderson, Michael Scott, head of high performance, and Jacco Verhaeren our head coach, have been working on cultural change within the entire organisation and to witness that change in Glasgow was exciting," added Bertrand.

"A new strategic plan has been developed with the aim to expand the sport as a whole, to increase our profile to make swimming relevant every year instead of every four years as well as increasing our capability at the very highest international level.

"Indeed our vision is to become number one in the world from the Olympic and Paralympic podiums down to grass roots by the year 2020.

"A huge audacious challenge.

"But with collective minds and energy it can be done.

"To see able bodied and Para Sport athletes perform together as one team in Scotland not only highlighted the inclusive nature of our sport, but also underlined the cultural values that our two senior teams and athlete leaders are demonstrating."

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