Record a big boost for Milne
But the University of Stirling star insists arriving in Rio makes it all worthwhile – and he can’t wait to go up against the world’s best in the pool.
The 100 metres freestyle hope – who will take the plunge just four days after his 20th birthday – said: “It’s commonly known – it’s not exciting to look at a black line for two hours.
“You’re kind of lucky doing backstroke because that’s only for an hour and a half.
“But I wouldn’t have it any other way. There’s that aspect of going head to head with someone, swimming as fast as you can then getting your hand on the wall first.
“It’s just one of those sports that’s incredible to watch from a swimmer’s point of view, that aspect of racing. progress on from it. There has to be something else rather than ‘I’ve ticked that box so thanks’.”
His Stirling support crew – including Rio roomies Robbie Renwick, Ross Murdoch and Craig Benson – will make sure he doesn’t rest.
Renwick – who will bid for relay gold, possibly with Scott, later this week – said: “We all push each other on. What Ross does is very different to what Duncan does. Sometimes I’m different to Duncan.
“But it’s great they can take confidence from me and at the same time I’m using these guys as training partners and as motivation. It’s a great set-up we have in Stirling.”
Scott reckons joining the other lads at Stirling has spurred him on. He said: “There’s nothing like it. I didn’t think it would be as huge a deal but it’s been more than I’d hoped for. I arrived last year. You come in and get to see day to day what they do compared to every other athlete – that makes them who they are.
“Craig Benson’s probably the hardest working guy I know. And he does every little thing he can to get the most out of every day. Same with Ross. They’re incredibly dedicated.
“They push themselves to the maximum and that inspires me.” Stephen Milne smashed a Scottish record in his Games debut and then vowed to keep making a splash as the Games go on.
The 22- yea r - old Per th swimmer made quite the first impression on the opening day in the pool by f inishing the 400metres freestyle heat in three minutes and 46 seconds.
It saw him fall agonisingly short of a stunning spot in last night’s final – coming sixth, one place behind world champion James Guy.
But the young hopeful, who’ll go in the 1500m freestyle next weekend as well as the relays, claimed he’s ready to rise to the challenges.
He said: “It’s been good so far. This is what it’s all about – getting in there with the best in the world, the toughest competition.
“I’ve only had a taste of it now but I really enjoyed it.
“I got more than half a second off my personal best.
“That’s pretty good. We are against the best in the world here so you really have to up your game to get through the rounds.
“It’s about getting recovered now and getting ready for the next event.”
Milne could now be handed a dream crack at the 4x200m final in midweek where the Brits are aiming for gold but he wasn’t fazed by walking out in front of around 10,000 Brazilian nuts.
And he said: “Now I’ve had a feel for it, I know I’m here to get a job done and I can look forward to the 1500m.
“I was just focused on myself and what I have to do.”
Team-mate Adam Peaty broke his own 100m breaststroke world record with a stunning swim of 57.55 seconds in the heats.
The Derby dynamo said: “I’m not going to get too complacent now. I’ l l keep striving, keep pushing the boundaries and see what we get.”
Britain has major hopes in the pool this week as Team GB try to better their miserly tally of three medals from London 2012.