Tokyo beckons but modest Scott takes nothing for granted
DUNCAN SCOTT no longer has the luxury of propelling himself beneath the surface of the water and under the radar.
Even if two Olympic silver medals from Rio in 2016 did not immediately catapult him to prominence, European and Commonwealth golds last year commanded the utmost respect.
His snub of Chinese doper Sun Yang on the podium during July’s World Championship secured a certain infamy.
The gold and bronze medals acquired ensured that the 22-yearold from Alloa will command the spotlight in Tokyo next year with his stature deservedly inflated.
‘Duncan is such a talented guy,’ his relay team-mate and multiworld record holder Adam Peaty declares. ‘I don’t think he realises how talented he is.’
Scott avoids bold self-publicity. But even he is surely aware that his achievements will be highlighted at this week’s European Short-Course Championships in Glasgow as Olympic year looms.
‘I usually set myself a medal target at a major international meeting,’ he explains. ‘For this one, I have different targets. But I can’t think too far ahead, even if I have a lot of things to think about.
‘As an athlete, you don’t give much thought to championships until you know you’re going.
‘With Tokyo, I don’t want to say I’m in before it happens. There will be a lot of quality in the events I do, the 100 and 200metres freestyle and medley. I hang onto that motivation, that I’m far from qualified.’
In reality, there is a sense within British Swimming that the Olympic squad — bar a late emerging force — is all but chosen, allowing the likes of Scott and Peaty to concern themselves with next August rather than April’s trials.
Other issues, however, surround Tokyo. A duel looms between the British Olympic Association and the leading athletes pursuing a legal challenge against its Rule 40, a by-law that shackles them from promoting their personal sponsors in and around the Games.
‘It’s an interesting debate as the rules are different in a lot of countries,’ says Scott. ‘In some countries, you get a financial benefit from winning certain medals. In Britain, you don’t.’