Swimmers’ confidence so high we’ll race anyone
THOSE two gold medals from back-to-back World Championships undoubtedly lend a little swagger to Duncan Scott’s stride. If you’re looking for leaders in the Team Scotland travelling party heading to the Gold Coast for this year’s Commonwealth Games, this boyish 20-year-old stands out as an obvious inspirational figure. However, when he looks around at his compatriots in the aquatics contingent bound for Oz, Scott is encouraged by the sheer strength in depth. And the confidence that runs right through the squad. ‘The belief has changed in the last couple of years,’ he declared. ‘I know that, when you are part of the British swimming team, and we stand up there about to race, we will look across and feel like we are willing to race anyone. ‘I don’t see why Team Scotland should be any different. We can stand there, look at everyone and say: “We’ll have a race, regardless of who you are”. ‘If you’re world champion, if you’ve got Commonwealth gold, if you’re an Olympic gold medalist or world record-holder, we will give you a race — no matter what — and give our best efforts. That’s the main thing.’ That confidence will be needed in a country where swimming is almost a religion — and sporting patriotism reaches fanatical levels without much stoking from those involved. A rare few survivors from Melbourne in 2006 can tell the rest what to expect. And perhaps regale the youngsters with tales about how, the last time these Games went to Australia, it was the Scottish swimmers who flew out of the blocks, setting a medalwinning pace that inspired athletes across all disciplines. And it will be hoped that the Scots can again make an instant splash, especially on an opening night that includes the 4x100metres men’s relay and Hannah Miley aiming to make history with a third consecutive gold in the 400m individual medley. Scott draws on an even more recent example of what can happen, recalling: ‘What I do know is that, in 2014 in Glasgow, we started really strong. ‘We had Ross Murdoch and Michael Jamieson in the 200 breaststroke. Then we had Hannah in the medley. What a start that is there. ‘I got goosebumps there just saying that. Absolutely phenomenal. A gold, a silver and another gold in one night of swimming for Team Scotland. ‘If we can start anything like that, it can only be positive. ‘In Melbourne, it was phenomenal what they did. And it was phenomenal what they managed to achieve in one night of swimming. If Team Scotland were to replicate that, it can only be a positive. ‘I don’t know if there is any pressure on us to deliver a good start — but I don’t think it’s a bad thing that we have the opportunity.’ Scott is yet to decide on the exact shape of his own competition schedule, although he will definitely play a part in the relays — those golds for GB in the 4x200m speak to his strength as a team player — as well as tackling at least two individual freestyle events. The fact that he finished fourth and fifth in the 200 and 100m events at last year’s World Championships suggests he is a medal shout in both. But there are Aussies, Canadians and South Africans aplenty in the world rankings. The relay is particularly close to his heart, as he noted: ‘When it comes to medal targets, we’ll obviously have a strong team in the 4x200. ‘Stephen Milne was a medalist at the Olympics in Rio and the World Championships. Dan Wallace is in there, too. ‘No matter who is put on that team, it is obviously really good. ‘Individually, I will probably do the 100 and 200 free, then it’s figuring out what I can do around that. ‘The 100 free is very fast in the Commonwealth Games. The Aussie trials are going to be tough for them to make. ‘They have great depth but four standouts. No matter who is in that Australian final, any of them could potentially win the Commonwealth Games. ‘The depth they have within the 100 freestyle alone is ridiculous. So the 100 freestyle is going to be a very tough event. ‘I’ve never swum an individual event at the Commonwealth Games, so I just need to see how that feels first of all. Then we can start talking about medals.’ Between now and the ambition of a podium place lies a heap of hard work. Early mornings, muscle-building exercises, endless laps of numerous pools. Scott is fully prepared, explaining: ‘I saw a great quote from Robbie Renwick, who was asked about sacrifices. He said: “They don’t really count as sacrifices when you get to this level.” ‘And he is right. Once you get to the level of international swimming, it just becomes habit. It’s not really a sacrifice. It’s what you do. ‘You push away your university friends. You tell them: “Sorry, but I have to go to bed at nine because I have to be up at this time”. ‘That’s just what you have to do to achieve things.’