Scott eager to write new chapter in Glasgow story

Duncan Scott reckons he was about 10 the first time he visited Tollcross Swimming Centre in the east end of Glasgow.

It was where he first qualified for a junior competition. Where, as a wide-eyed 17-year-old, he earned his debut Commonwealth Games medal in 2014. And where he won his first individual European title four years later.

This summer, that wee boy will return as the big man in Team Scotland for Glasgow 2026. A eight-time Olympic medalist and his country’s most decorated Commonwealth Games athlete of all time. A big ticket.

“I love this place,” Scott tells BBC Sport as he glances around the refurbished venue. “It holds a lot of good memories and a few vital moments in my career and I hope this summer continues that.”

The 28-year-old was speaking to mark the reopening of Tollcross after a £3.75m glow up in time for this summer’s reimagined event, with the cost shared between the local authority and Games organisers.

Saving pools from closure has long been a passion project for Scott, an erudite advocate for the importance of people learning to swim as well as the role such centres play as community hubs.

But while a refreshed Tollcross will contribute to that, it is the week or so when the pool will be unavailable for public use that are the key dates in Scott’s summer.

The Alloa swimmer clanked back up the road from the Birmingham Games four years ago with six medals around his neck – 200m free and 200m medley gold adding to four bronzes.

It took his tally to 13 across three Games and propelled his past the record held by shooter Alister Allan. And few would bet against him butressing it further this year.

Scott has yet to decide which events to enter in Glasgow, but concedes he is likely to take on a slightly less frantic schedule than in 2022 given he has “four more years in the legs and arms”.

“There’s a few individual ones I’d like to swim and I’m always willing to put my hand up for the relays, because that’s a big thing in Team Scotland,” he adds.

“But the records are not something that I ever get too caught up in, and it’s not something that really motivates me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m incredibly grateful that I’ve won the medals I have but it’s just about getting better all the time for me.”