Three years ago in Gold Coast he made history as the first Team Scotland athlete ever to win six medals at a single Commonwealth Games. Now Duncan Scott has achieved the accolade of first British athlete ever to win four medals at a single Olympic Games, as he added silver in the 4x100m Medley Relay to his Tokyo tally.

The Team GB quartet, that also included Luke Greenbank, Adam Peaty and James Guy, gave it their all, setting a new European record of 3:27.51 and Peaty setting the fastest ever Breaststroke relay split of all time. It took a World record from the Americans to pip them to gold, with Duncan on the anchor leg pushing the USA’s Zach Apple all the way to the touch.

That they were disappointed not to take gold is the measure of the ambition of this team, and this being Team GB’s eighth swimming medal of the Games breaks a record medal tally in the pool that dates back to 1908.

Still processing his achievement, Duncan said: “The week as a whole, because of what I do in terms of parking each event and moving onto the next one, it’s not really hit me with what’s happened.

“I’ve tried to do little media to get me ready for the next race. It’s just been a pleasure being a part of this team, the way that it’s grown over the last couple of years. The depth we’ve now have in each event, it just seemed every finals session there was an opportunity for something special. Just a great week to be a part of.”

Breaststroke gold medallist and world record holder Adam Peaty was full of praise for Duncan saying: “I don’t think he understands… he’s just an incredible athlete. For me I just hope he gets the respect and the recognition he deserves back home. I just hope all of these guys in this British swimming team, the best in history, get the recognition they deserve. Cos it’s been so hard to do this. We’re third in the medal table alone, at the Olympics. No-one ever thought we could be there after London. To have Duncan on the team is very inspiring.”

With two silver medals from Rio 2016, Duncan now has six Olympic medals to his name at the age of 24. Only Sir Bradley Wiggins, Sir Chris Hoy and Jason Kenny have more and, with the Paris Olympics just three years away, there is certainly scope for Duncan to surpass them all.