How Team Canada Performed at Day 1 Commonwealth Games

Swimmer Ryan Cochrane won Canada's first gold medal of the Games when he repeated as champion in the men's 400m freestyle. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

A recap of the top moments for Canadian athletes on the opening day of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, including a pair of gold medals:

The waiting is the easiest part

Canada didn't have to wait for its first medal, as Victoria's Kirsten Sweetland took the silver in the women's triathlon — the first medal event of the Games.

Sweetland finished between a pair of Englishwomen: winner Jodie Stimpson and bronze medallist Vicky Holland.

The other two Canadian entries couldn't finish the race. Calgary's Ellen Pennock suffered a broken collarbone in a bike crash, and Winnipeg's Sarah-Anne Brault was ordered to drop out during the running leg in order to save herself for the relay event.

Sweetland, 25, has struggled with injuries for years, but she peaked at the right time. Less than two weeks ago, she reached the podium in a World Triathlon Series event for the first time in her career, finishing third in Hamburg.

Andrew Yorke of Hamilton, Ont., fell just short of a medal in the men's event, finishing fourth.

Hail to the Victorians

Later, another 25-year-old Victoria athlete won Canada's first gold of the Games when swimmer Ryan Cochrane repeated as champion in the men's 400-metre freestyle.

Though he came in as the champ, it was a somewhat surprising win for Cochrane, who was listed as an underdog by at least one online bookie.

Cochrane will defend his Commonwealth 1,500m title on Day 6. He's a two-time Olympic medallist in that event.

Broken record

Canada completed the medal rainbow when the women's 4x100 freestyle swim relay team won bronze.

Australia, which came in as a 1/100 (!) favourite, busted the Netherlands' world record that had stood since 2009.

4 score

Canada's second gold of the Games, and of the day, came just before the lights went out when the rhythmic gymnastics team won their event.

That medal raised Canada's count to four heading into Day 2. That's good for fifth in the overall standings. England leads with 17, followed by Australia (15), host Scotland (10) and India (7).

CBC