Australian swimmer celebrated gold with 'no words - just a hug from my Scottish gran'

When the state of Victoria pulled out of hosting the Commonwealth Games, many Australian athletes were disappointed to lose the chance of tasting glory at home.

However for swimmer Iona Anderson, the switch to Glasgow has been the next best thing - as she has celebrated success with a hug from her Scottish gran.

Anderson - named after the Inner Hebrides island - stormed to gold in the women's 100m backstroke at Tollcross on Sunday, and will be eying up another medal later in the 50m backstroke.

Cheering the 20-year-old on were her grandparents, who live in Grangemouth, with grandmother Pam in particular swept up in the excitement.

"I think my mum was having a heart attack worrying gran was going to get too excited watching it," the swimmer told BBC Scotland News.

"It was really emotional - there weren't a lot of words said when I went over, just a lot of emotion and a big hug.

"I was so psyched. I maybe put extra pressure on myself beforehand as I wanted to do them proud, but it was so great to hug her as I don't get to do that often."

Anderson has family from Grangemouth on her mother's side and from Dumfries and Galloway on her father's side.

Her parents were already living in Australia when she was born, meaning this current Games experience is only the fourth time she has ever been in Scotland - and only the second time some of her family have actually seen her swim.

She has, however, already developed a fondness for certain aspects of local culture.

"I always feel I've got a strong connection to Scotland, it's close to my heart," said Anderson, who had her nails painted in a green and gold tartan design for the competition.

"I do like black pudding and link sausages when here, they're much better than what you get back home. I know they might be unhealthier too!"

Sunday marked Anderson's first individual gold medal at a senior meet, as Australia dominate the pool at the Games.

She joked to Australian media afterwards that Glasgow was better than Victoria, and told BBC Scotland the crowd being close to the pool had given her an additional buzz.

Back in action on Monday for the the 50m backstroke heats, Anderson said re-setting herself to go again was a challenge straight after success the previous evening.

"It's been a whirlwind of emotions", she laughed.

"My roommate got bronze in the 1,500m on Sunday [Molly Walker] and we kind of pinged off each other a bit - so getting to sleep was pretty hard.

"But it's a great atmosphere and that gets you going."