Scott Makes History with Fifth Swimming Medal
In a thrilling night of action at the Optus Aquatics Centre, Duncan Scott became Scotland’s most decorated swimmer at a single Commonwealth Games, winning gold and bronze in the 100m Freestyle and 4x200m Freestyle, to add to the three bronze he won earlier in the Games.
His gold medal came in a sensational 100m Freestyle final, where once again Scott showed his power and speed at the back end of the race. Turning in 6th place Duncan shot through the field, timing his charge to perfection to take the first ever gold by a Scottish athlete in this event, with a time of 48.02 and beating the Olympic Champion and home crowd favourite, Kyle Chalmers (Australia) in the process.
A jubilant Scott said: “I’m absolutely delighted. Today was about executing my own race and doing the job I knew that I could do and put in a performance that would deliver. There are so many different ways of swimming the 100m Freestyle as you could see in that final. I just focused on what I know I’m good at and bring it back strong.”
Later in the evening Scott lined up alongside Stephen Milne, Dan Wallace and Mark Szaranek in the 4x200m Freestyle final. Australia dominated and brought the house down, winning gold in a new Games Record time of 7:05.97, while England took silver in 7:08.57. Scotland fought hard and won a superb bronze medal in 7:09.89.
Lead-off man for the relay, Stephen Milne said: “That was an exciting race. Australia and England were really strong and we put up a good fight. I am delighted to have come away with another medal in the pool for Scotland.”
Anchorman and silver medallist from the 400m IM earlier in the meet, Mark Szaranek, said: “The mood in the camp is great and it was brilliant to see Duncan pick up the first gold from the pool for Scotland. That was my first time on the relay on such a big stage and it was really special. The crowd is great and the Team Scotland support has been amazing.”
The final word went to Duncan himself, he said of his achievements: “I’ve not given any thought to my own medal count. That’s the second medal I’ve picked up in relay events so my medal tally wouldn’t be what it is without the support of a number of other athletes.
“There are a lot more events to come and I think we can carry that momentum on and challenge for more medals in the final two days.”
Elsewhere, Hannah Miley finished 6th in the final of the 200m Individual Medley, whilst
Toni Shaw looked delighted to have smashed her own Scottish Record in the S9 100m Freestyle. Touching home in 1:04.19 Shaw swam a controlled race to finish 5th. Craig McNally finished 7th in the 50m Backstroke final.
There was also success for Sean Campsie in the 100m Butterfly and Euan Inglis in the 50m Breaststroke, who will both progress to finals tomorrow night. Also in the 50m Breaststroke, Craig Benson and Mark Campbell finished 9th and 11th whilst Lucy Hope and Corrie Scott finished 10th and 12th for 100m Freestyle and 100m Breaststroke respectively.
Scottish swimmers competing in the heats on the penultimate day of the swimming competition are Craig McNally, Stephen Milne (200m Backstroke); Kathleen Dawson, Cassie Wild, Lucy Hope (50m Backstroke); Scott McLay, Jack Thorpe, Kieran McGuckin (50m Freestyle); Toni Shaw (SB9 100m Breaststroke); Keanna MacInnes, Hannah Miley (200m Butterfly). The session starts at 10:31hrs (01:31hrs UK time).