Daniel sets his sights on Rio

DANIEL WALLACE believes his Commonwealth Games victory is only a taste of things to come.

The 21-year-old is adamant he can win Olympic gold at Rio 2016.

A 400-metres individual medley medal hangs proudly round his neck following an emotion packed evening on Friday.

Shouting “For Freedom” at the end of the race put him firmly in the spotlight – and that’s where he intends to stay.

He said:“I’m still a young a swimmer and my first taste of success has just motivated me to go on and do some great things. This is just the beginning for me.

“Team Scotland is now established as having some of the best swimmers in the world.

“The younger guys have been inspired by people like Michael Jamieson and Robbie Renwick, and now we’re stepping up.

“My performance at the Commonwealth Games is really going to help me for 2016.

“The dream is to get that Olympic gold medal and I’ll put

DanielWallace. everything I can into doing that.”

The 21-year-old’s success proves his parents’ decision to sell their North Berwick home so that he could train at the University of Florida was the right one.

That despite being suspended from his studies for an incident on a drunken night out.

Tanya and Derek Wallace will surely have felt their frustration and heartbreak melt away when their boy was standing proudly on the podium.

Although he’s already looking ahead to Rio, there are still medals to be won in Glasgow.

Daniel went on:“I will go into the relay on Sunday and the 200 individual medley onTuesday thinking there’s no reason why I can’t win another couple of medals.”

Daniel maintains his “freedom” celebration was not political.

He said: “I’ve watched the film Braveheart a bunch of times and it really gets you pumped up, but Friday night was spontaneous.

“The athletes don’t really talk about politics – we’re just here to representTeam Scotland and pick up as many medals as we can.”