Scott takes Stirling’s final Gold Coast medal tally to eleven

Record-breaking swimming sensation Duncan Scott brought down the curtain on his spectacular Commonwealth Games display with a sixth – and the University of Stirling’s eleventh – medal of the competition.

Scott took silver in the 200m individual medley on the final day of swimming at the Gold Coast Games - adding to the gold and four bronze medals he won in earlier events.

The 20-year-old’s achievements make him the most decorated Scottish athlete at a single Commonwealth Games. His latest triumph at the Optus Aquatic Centre sees the final tally of medals from Stirling athletes hit eleven.

Reflecting on Stirling’s success Down Under, University of Stirling Principal, Professor Gerry McCormac, said: “I am delighted and immensely proud of our athletes who will return from Australia with two gold, two silver and seven bronze medals.

“I reserve a special mention for Duncan Scott who catapulted his way into the record books by winning a phenomenal six medals on the Gold Coast – making him the most decorated Scottish athlete at a single Commonwealth Games.

“The achievements are testament to the hard work and dedication of our athletes and coaches here at Stirling, and, once again, re-emphasises our position as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence.

“I cannot wait to welcome our athletes home and congratulate them in person on what has been an unforgettable Commonwealth Games.”

Scott opened his Gold Coast 2018 account with bronze in the 200m freestyle, 200m butterfly and 4x100m freestyle relay, which also saw fellow Stirling swimmers Scott McLay and Craig McLean receive medals for contributing to the team’s win.

Scott scooped gold in the 100m freestyle, before winning bronze in the 4x200m freestyle relay and then silver in the 200m individual medley – narrowly missing out another gold, finishing 0.19 seconds behind Australia’s Mitch Larkin.

Reflecting on his Gold Coast success, Scott said: “I sat down with my coach beforehand, like we always do at every meet and talked about the possibilities – the good things that could happen and the bad things.

“This is definitely on the good things spectrum. I’m delighted with how things have gone.”

Aimee Willmott, 25, landed England’s first gold medal of the Games with a dramatic win in the 400m individual final, pipping Hannah Miley to the post; while Ross Murdoch, 24, won silver for Scotland in the 200m breaststroke, finishing behind England’s James Wilby.

Former Stirling scholar Marc Austin, 24, put in a hugely impressive performance to take bronze in the triathlon.

Nine swimmers who train at the National Swimming Academy, based at Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence, were selected for the Games. Scott, Willmott, Murdoch, McLay and McLean, were joined by Scotland’s Kathleen Dawson and Craig Benson, as well as Northern Ireland’s Calum Bain and Jamie Graham. All are coached by Steven Tigg, Head Performance Swimming Coach, supported by Bradley Hay and Josh Williamson.

Stirling’s Grant Sheldon also competed alongside Austin in the triathlon.

Meanwhile, the University was also represented on the Gold Coast by archivist Karl Magee and Professor of Media Sport, Richard Haynes. They presented the ‘Hosts and Champions’ exhibition – which documents more than 80 years of international sporting competition – at Team Scotland HQ between April 2 and 6.