Scott aiming for more swimming success as he targets Commonwealth Games

The 27-year-old became Scotland's most decorated Olympian ever at the Paris games.

Duncan Scott is aiming to achieve more success in swimming after becoming Scotland’s most decorated Olympian of all time in Paris.

The 27-year-old said it is an “honour” to be mentioned alongside athletes such as Chris Hoy but conceded that the cyclist’s gold medal haul keeps him at number one.

Scott won a gold and a silver at the Olympics held in the French capital in the summer, taking his overall total to eight medals – one more than Hoy.

That also put him joint with Bradley Wiggins as Team GB’s second most decorated and only one medal behind Jason Kenny.

He could overtake Kenny’s haul in Los Angeles in four years, but before that he has an eye on another homecoming event when Glasgow hosts the Commonwealth Games in 2026.

He said: “I think the experience from Tokyo really helped me digest the experience in Paris, it started off probably not the way I wanted to start the competition but the finish probably exceeded expectations.

“So as a whole, I am really happy with how I was able to perform out there.

“It (being Scotland’s most decorated Olympian) is not something I am used to yet. I wake up every morning and say it back to myself.

“Not really, I’ll keep saying that Chris (Hoy) has got way more golds, and I think that’s probably the most important thing, but it’s just a real honour to be mentioned in that bracket with athletes like that.

“There’s still plenty more in the sport that I would like to achieve.”

On being only one medal away from equalling Britain’s most decorated Olympian, he said: “I’ve got a wee bit to wait for that, Sir Jason Kenny, like a lot of those guys, is someone I grew up watching.

“He’s a Team GB legend and the way he comes across, I love how he just does the competitions and then dips, it’s such a cool way of doing things.

“The medal count is not something that I have ever gone for, whether that’s at the Commonwealth Games, the European or Olympic Games.

“I’m there to either do a performance, or to try an execute different race plans and if that brings medals then that is a bonus.

“I don’t want to finish my career and just be looked at as what I have won, there’s so much more to that, that goes on behind.”

Scott won his first medal the last time the Commonwealth Games were held in Glasgow when he was just 17 years old.

He burst onto the scene to take silver in the 4x200m freestyle relay at Tollcross Pool in 2014 and is excited for the games to return.

He said: “I am spoiled, I have done so many at home now, it’s amazing. I’ve had the 2014 Commies, 16 Europeans in London and the Europeans in Glasgow, so, look, it’s amazing and I am never going to complain about a home competition.

“There were rumours about it happening months ago and they put their hand up for it and it’s great to see the Scottish Government give it the go ahead.

“I think it’s going to be amazing and hopefully the legacy that it leaves behind is a good one, it means the Tollcross pool is going to be revamped, which is excellent news, not only for sport but for the sport of swimming as well.

“It’s something that I have circled in the calendar and hopefully I’ll be in good shape for that one.”

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