Stirling University swimmer Duncan Scott has been pre-selected by Team GB ahead of next summer’s Tokyo Olympics.
Scott, alongside fellow World Championship medallists Adam Peaty, James Wilby and Luke Greenbank, have been waved through the selection process – meaning that they will have an easier route to a medal at the games. Duncan Scott had qualified for the games already.
This means that fellow Scottish swimmer – and Commonwealth medallist – Ross Murdoch, will have a more challenging path to being selected to compete for a medal in Tokyo.
Scott, who was awarded BUCS Sportsman of the Year last week, has been on top form in the past couple of seasons, most notably at the Aquatic World Championships in 2019, where he took Bronze at the 200m freestyle – the scene of his infamous podium protest against Chinese swimmer Sun Yang, who has now been banned twice for doping.
British Swimming performance director, Chris Spice, hopes that by giving Scott, and others, an easier route to the competition, they can avoid them missing out due to complications with Covid-19.
He said: “We have tried to give some certainty to a small number of high-profile athletes in the event of more national lockdowns.
“Coupled with these is also a recognition that many athletes have had and are still having, interruptions to their training schedules. As a result, we have extended the selection window beyond the usual time of April as it is hoped that more certainty will come to training environments as the months progress next year.”
Duncan Scott said: “It is a great way to end the year – and we’re now 100% focused on preparing for the Olympics and the World Championships next year.”
Featured Image: Clive Scott/ Getty Images
4th Year Journalism Studies and Politics Student at Stirling University. Sports Editor. Bylines in Brig Newspaper and The Oban Times
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