D'Orsogna looks to heavens

There was a spirit standing next to Tommaso D'Orsogna on the podium as the 100m freestyle medals were being awarded.

Soon after claiming a breakthrough international top-three result, the WA swimmer tried to look to the heavens to make contact with his late grandfather.

The pair share a name and a passion to succeed, the elder in business, the younger in sport.

And while D'Orsogna was awarded the bronze medal after the Commonwealth Games final it was a personal victory yet one he was glad to share with two teammates.

James Magnussen's time of 48.11sec. wasn't as fast as expected but good enough for first place with the man who defeated him in the event at the national trials, Cameron McEvoy, completing the green-and-gold trifecta with silver in 48.34.

D'Orsogna (49.04) celebrated with his parents and two sisters, who had come to Glasgow to cheer the Australian trio.

But shortly after climbing from the Tollcross Aquatic Centre pool, D'Orsogna's emotions sparked a period of reflection as he remembered the support he received as a youngster from his grandfather.

"It was special night for me. I lost my grandfather, my namesake, earlier in the year, so it was unfortunate he wasn't still around to witness my first international long-course medal," he said about his grandfather, who built one of the State's biggest smallgoods companies.

"I know he will always be a part of me. And I also have my Scottish heritage of the McLarty clan on my mother's side. So this medal will always hold a special place in my heart now."

For Magnussen, the win was further proof he was not carrying any mental scars from his disappointing results at the London Olympics two years ago.

"It wasn't the quickest swim I've done in recent times but I wasn't focused on times," he said. "I knew the world record wasn't on the table. It takes the weight off my shoulders."