Stirling University swimmer Duncan Scott has beaten the British record in the 200m individual medley, on the first day of the British Olympic selection trials.
The swimmer, who has already been preselected for Team GB at this summer’s Olympics in Tokyo, recorded a breathtaking time of 1:55.90 – becoming the first British man to register a sub 1:56 time in the history of the event.
Scott, 23, beat Max Litchfield’s 2017 British record of 1:56.64, and as a result, is now the 11th fastest man in the history of the 200m IM.
“It’s a while since we could race like this so I’m really grateful and delighted with a big personal best”.
Duncan scott
Scott, 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.
Scott now has his sights firmly set on Tokyo, as he looks to add two the two Olympic silver medals he earned at Rio 2016, but recognises that he has to keep his performance levels up to ensure that he is selected for his desired events. He faces strong competition from the aforementioned Litchfield, who looks likely to join him in Tokyo.
He said: “I’m delighted with it but there’s no guarantees until they announce the nominations. As much as it’s a delight to be pre-selected, I’ve got no events guaranteed.
“The way British Swimming has been going over the last couple of years and the depth, I need to be on it at the trials to get the events I want to swim. But I’m really happy with my Day 1.”
Featured Image Credit: Becca Wyant
4th Year Journalism Studies and Politics Student at Stirling University. Sports Editor. Bylines in Brig Newspaper and The Oban Times
