realization he was in with a chance of securing a gold medal, the explosion when he touched home first was a joy to observe. His mother and father, four siblings and closest pals were a vision of ecstasy as they engaged in an impromptu mosh pit of pogoing delight. That mix of pride, happiness and sheer relief of watching their offspring achieve his dream was something to behold. It may have been in the early hours of the morning, but you suspect the party might have extended well beyond dawn.
Following Adam Peaty’s back-to-back golds in the 100m breaststroke – the first time that feat has been achieved by a British swimmer – Team GB are now well on course to record their most successful ever post-war swimming performance at the Olympics.
The swimming team have not had two gold medalists at an Olympics since 1912 and it is also the first time that Team GB have reached four golds after four days of a summer Olympics. “It sums up our depth and strength to get a one-two,” said Scott. “We have high expectations because of how good the team is. The relays are also looking good – it’s really exciting – and there are plenty more individual opportunities. It’s a good thing that we’re always asking for more.” Dean and Scott are staying in the same Olympic Village apartment and seemed genuinely thrilled to have shared their podium moment to the sound of the God Save Queen inside the Tokyo Aquatics Arena.
“It’s a dream come true to have an Olympic gold around my neck, to go one-two with another Brit on the podium, what more could you ask for?” said Dean.
“Duncan and I are great mates – he’s a class act. I have looked up to him for a long time – he has been at the forefront of 200m freestyle and plenty of other events for so long. To share a podium with him is amazing.” Dean, who comes from Maidenhead and trains in Bath, had only been considered an outside medal chance after setting a two-second personal best at the British Olympic trials earlier in the year and qualifying fifth fastest for the final.
Scott, who graduated from the University of Stirling last month, had come into the Olympics with the fastest time in the world this year at 1min 44.47 sec and qualified fastest for the final. He admitted that he was already playing the race over again in his mind, and that there were things he could have done better, but was still pleased with a personal best and silver. “I’m buzzing for Deano, he’s had a really strange 18 months with Covid twice and a monster PB at trials but to see him move it on again and win gold is phenomenal,” said the 24 year-old. “Our best possible outcome is 1-2. I’ve been on several teams with Deano, we get on really well, whether that’s playing cards, watching films together. We’re mates outside of the pool first and then we’re competitors as well. It was a dogfight – it came right down to the finish – and I think Deano swam a great race. Fair play to him.
