University of Stirling swimmer named in GB Olympic squad

University of Stirling swimmer, Duncan Scott, has been selected by the British Olympic Association to represent Team GB at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Olympic medallist Scott joins Olympic champion Adam Peaty and world medallists James Wilby and Luke Greenbank as the first four swimmers to be confirmed for the team following British Swimming’s revision of its selection policy for the postponed Games.

Named in the pre-selection phase, the quartet earned their places on the plane to Tokyo having won individual medals at the 2019 World Aquatics Championships in Gwangju.

British Swimming updated its selection policy due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disrupted the sport’s competition calendar, with further selections to be made following the British Swimming Championships in April. A full team announcement will follow later this year with a number of other University of Stirling athletes also vying for a place.

Scott made his Olympic debut in Rio aged just 19, returning home as a double silver medallist in the men’s 4x200m and 4x100m medley relay events, and has won gold at three successive World Championships. Sports Studies and Business Studies student Scott became the most decorated swimmer ever at a Commonwealth Games after capturing six medals on the Gold Coast in 2018, which included gold in the 100m freestyle, a 200m individual medley silver and four bronzes.

Commenting on his selection, Scott said: “It's a real honour to be selected for my second Olympic Games. I loved every second of Rio; the way that the team swam but then also being a part of the bigger team and being part of Team GB, it was a great experience and one that I really wanted to have again. So I'm delighted to be selected, especially after the last year or so that we've had, with so many unknowns - it's great to get this. I'm really excited and really looking forward to the year ahead.”

The rescheduled Tokyo Olympic Games will now take place from 23 July to 8 August 2021.