Young Scott starts to make waves just like Murray did on court
HE MAY do for British swimming what Andy Murray has done for tennis in the UK. One day. In the meantime, Duncan Scott would settle for inspiring a few more kids into the pool — and continuing his one-man medal-gathering mission at major championships.
Scott won seven medals — including gold in the 100metres freestyle — at the Commonwealth Games that come to a close on the Gold Coast later today.
With the potential to clean up again at the Glasgow 2018 European Championships and Olympic podium places in his sights for 2020, the 20-year-old has the potential to become a cross-over star capable of attracting new fans to swimming.
Asked about the comparison with Murray, arguably the greatest Scottish sports person of all time, Scott said: ‘To be compared with Andy Murray at anything is massively flattering.
‘He’s a household name within Britain and most of the world, an absolute star — and he comes from not far from Alloa (Scott’s hometown) as well!
‘But swimming has struggled with that cycle of interest, that kind of influx of TV viewers for the Olympics, and then it goes away and comes back for the Commonwealth Games.
‘British swimming has helped it — since 2012 we’ve had a good increase in medal counts and Adam Peaty, especially, is putting our sport on the map in Britain.
‘He’s been nominated for Sports Personality of the Year for the past three years and he’s ranking higher and higher each time.
‘That can only be a positive for the sport, and for myself, because it’s getting people watching TV.
‘So, if I can be a part of that, great. Until then, I’ll carry on riding the wave and see where it goes.
‘I’m a Learn to Swim ambassador, so I’d like to see a rise in kids being able to learn to swim. It’s hugely important, it’s a life skill. So if that’s possible, it would be great.’
‘Secondly, we have some great talent on the youth side of Scottish swimming right now.
‘I can see them come through in the next six to eight years, and really show their talent and keep their hard work going. That would be fantastic.’
Scott is committed to staying with his training group at Stirling, arguing: ‘Don’t fix something that’s not broken.
‘I’m absolutely fine where I am with Steve (Tigg, his coach), I’ve never had any issues in a long relationship with him.
‘And the group seems to be going really well. I don’t know anyone from Stirling who didn’t swim well in the Commonwealth Games.
‘Aimee Willmott, Commonwealth champion. Ross Murdoch, silver. Scott McLay, Craig McLean, Kathleen Dawson — they all produced PBs and good swims.
‘That goes down to Steve Tigg and the team — Ade Campbell, Neil Shanks, they’re phenomenal.’
A big Alloa Athletic fan, Scott had spoken before these Games about wanting to parade any medals he won at the Indodrill Stadium.
A phone call to the chairman will be among his first acts on returning to Scotland then, as he declared: ‘It would be a nice thing to do. We’ll see what big Mike Mulraney says!
‘I’ve not heard from anyone for a week because I turn my social media off for the entire competition. And, when I eventually turned it back on, I just reply to a few messages from friends and family.
‘But there were enough to keep busy for the foreseeable future! I’ll look out for the Alloa one.
‘It would be nice to have a play-off win to celebrate as well.
‘The second a competition finishes, there are a lot of things go through your head.
‘The stress relief for a start — the emotions, you go from one extreme to the other.
‘You’re so demanding on yourself to achieve at the highest level, then literally two hours later, there are no demands on you at all.
‘I’m just sitting there and I’ve been told I’ve done well, I can relax and do what I want.
‘There’s a sense you have to relax, but it’s more emotional than physical because of how much of a bubble you’re in.’