Scott in fine shape for trial warm-up
SWIMMING
DUNCAN SCOTT believes he has found the improvements required to be a golden boy in Tokyo this summer, providing the Olympics Games get the green light.
The European champion will get his final tune-up for next month’s British trials at this weekend’s Edinburgh International. He joins a host of leading British lights, including Adam Peaty and Freya Anderson, when the meeting begins this morning.
And the 22-year-old – who will compete in three events including the 200 metres freestyle – is confident his winter’s work at his University of Stirling base has left him in prime shape to sink his domestic and international rivals.
“So far, it’s been going really well,” he said. “We’re still a wee bit out. We’ve competition, the training, then a taper. I competed really well at Bangor and BUCS recently but that can be a false positive this early in the season. But now it’s about challenging myself at the trials and see where I land.
“It’s about continuous improvement. That’s the big thing at Stirling in our model. Not only does it help with longevity but also getting better. So if I can go to the trials and challenge my personal bests, I’ll be really happy. If I can move them on, I know I won’t be far away come the Olympics.”
The annual meet at Edinburgh’s Commonwealth Pool is proceeding despite fears the coronavirus outbreak could see the Olympics cancelled or the trials disrupted but Scott is carrying on with his preparations.
“I know I’ve got five weeks until the trials, prepare for them, make sure I’m in the best shape possible,” he said. “We’ve got a pre-trials camp in Tenerife and no-one is sure if that’s going ahead. But it has to be business as normal and we get on with it.”