Brock Whiston already had nearly everything. She was a Paralympic champion, a world champion, and a world record holder. What she did not have was a Commonwealth gold medal, or her father in the stands.
That changed in Glasgow.
Whiston, 29, won the women's 100m breaststroke SB8 at the Commonwealth Games in a new Games record. The victory was her first Commonwealth gold. But the moment that defined the race had nothing to do with the clock.
Her father, Gel, had not watched her race in person for 17 years. According to BBC Sport, the last time he attended was when Whiston's mother had cancer. Her mother has since recovered. Gel had remained what Whiston called a "sideline supporter" from home through all the major moments of her career, including the Paralympic title and the world records. Whiston said he worked "so hard to get me to where I am today."
Recently, Gel received a Parkinson's diagnosis. This time, he decided to make the trip.
Why he had stayed away so long is simple. "He doesn't like swimming," Whiston told the BBC. "He finds it too hot - doesn't like the smell of chlorine."
Whiston said her goal going into the race was not about the time. "I just wanted to make him proud," she told TNT Sports. "I just wanted to win this race for him. I didn't care about the time."
She won the race and set the Games record. But she did not see her father in the crowd until the celebration lap. "I didn't spot him until I was doing my lap with my medal," she said. "He gave me a kiss on the head and said 'love you'. I think he was shellshocked."
The win carried added weight because of what happened in Paris. Earlier this month, Whiston had spoken publicly about wanting to control her emotions at the Commonwealth Games after she missed out on gold at the Paris Paralympics in the same event. She said she had been overawed by the crowd that day and it had cost her.
This time, the race went the way she needed.
Whiston works in a primary school when she is not competing. Her schedule in Glasgow is now finished, but more meets remain on her calendar. Whether her father will attend any of them is unlikely. "He said he's done it now. He's not coming back," Whiston said. "He is very happy to support from home. Just to have him there that once was a special moment."
