Hard work pays for McLay

Arbroath swimmer Sophie Smith also in medals in Bahamas

Perth swimmer Scott McLay is celebrating a double medal success at the Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas.

McLay claimed gold in the men’s 50m butterfly. Then, less than an hour later, he took silver in the 100m backstroke.

“I couldn’t be happier with it,” he said. “It’s about going through the processes in the pool and replicating what I’ve been doing in training so I’m glad it’s paying off and I’ve come away with those two medals.

“I didn’t actually see the time board after the finish of the 50m fly. I just heard it announced by the commentator and I was thinking, ‘Really? Is it me that’s won it?’

“It was fantastic to have the support of my team-mates and all the people up in the stands. It really does spur you on.

“This has set me up really well for the rest of the competition, I just want to keep performing at my best and hopefully pick up a few more medals.”

Meanwhile, Arbroath swimmer Sophie Smith exceeded her expectations with silver in the 200m freestyle. “It was absolutely amazing,” she said. “I just couldn’t believe it. I came here aiming to get into a final, maybe a few, and just see what happened. I just couldn’t believe it, I was speechless.

“To see the Scottish flag go up as well, it was incredible.

“It was a good start to the week because it’s given me a lot of confidence to go forward into the week.

“I was quite nervous coming here because it’s my first international event and I’ve never competed in an open-air pool before.

“It was good to get a good race under my belt.” enicolson@thecourier.co.uk

Perth swimmer Scott McLay won a gold and silver at the Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas.