Duncan selected for Tokyo Olympics
They need to focus on avoiding anything that might negatively impact on their family income. Realism and patience comes easily when you’re in that situation.
“The committee has been keeping in touch with each other and working away behind the scenes. Administratively, we’re well placed to know what’s happening at league and national level so can alert everyone quickly if there are pending developments.
“And, we keep in close touch with a number of other clubs in the area.
“We’re really fortunate to enjoy great support from our sponsors, who have been terrific and committed to maintaining their long-standing investment in the club.
“Given we still have running costs for our facilities, that support has been invaluable, especially when meaningful fund-raising has been so very difficult, if not impossible.”
That’s something which Pat Griffin at Milton agreed with.
“With our annual dinner cancelled where we usually make a profit of between £5000 and £6000, we would have totally struggled financially if it hadn’t been for
Stirling University’s Duncan Scott is one of four swimmers named by the British Olympic Association to represent Team GB at this summer’s Tokyo Olympic Games.
Duncan (pictured) along with Olympic champion Adam Peaty and world medallists James Wilby and Luke Greenbank have secured their spots following British Swimming’s revision of its selection policy for the postponed Games.
Named in the pre-selection phase, the quartet earned their places on the plane to Tokyo having won individual medals at our sponsors,” said Pat.
“My own company PJ Griffin and Sons have contributed a considerable amount, other local companies have also exceeded expectations with donations of large amounts of sponsorship money, including former player Brian Godsman, a director of Scott Glass; Andrew Scott, director of Scott Building Company and Graeme Beverage, director of RG Autotech.
“Our club cannot thank these local companies enough especially in these difficult times.”
He added: “I think there will be casualties when this eventually lifts. To be honest we’ve not had a lot of outgoings and all our teams are in quite a healthy situation.
“I spoke to our secretary Josephine Rodger about the possibility of a local league which due to circumstances might be the only way we’ll get back playing. I also spoke to Gary Grahamslaw at Cambusbarron Rovers last week about the same thing and he agreed with me.”
Ian was also concerned about some teams.
“I fear there will be casualties across the 2019 World Aquatics Championships in Gwangju.
British Swimming updated its selection policy due to the Covid-19 pandemic with further selections to be made following the British Swimming Championships in April.
Duncan made his Olympic debut in Rio, aged just 19, returning home as a double silver medallist in the men’s 4x200m freestyle and 4x100m medley relay events and has won gold at three successive World Championships.
He also became the most decorated swimmer ever at a Commonwealth Games after capturing six medals on the Gold Coast in 2018, which included gold in the 100m freestyle, a 200m individual medley silver and four bronzes.
Duncan said: “It’s a real honour to be selected for my second Olympic Games. I loved every second of Rio; the way that the team swam but then also being a part of the bigger team and being part of Team GB, it was a great experience and one that I really wanted to have again.
“So I’m delighted to be selected, especially after the last year or so that we’ve had, with so many unknowns - it’s great to get this.
“I’m really excited and really looking forward to the year ahead.”
The rescheduled Tokyo Olympic Games will now take place from July 23-August 8.