Duncan Scott and Jack McMillan return to campus with World golds

Swimming stars Duncan Scott OBE and Jack McMillan returned to training at the University of Stirling this week sporting the gold medals won at last month’s World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.

It was a particularly special moment for Scott – Scotland’s most decorated Olympic athlete – who is celebrating 10 years training at the National Swimming Academy, based at the University.

During his decade at Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence, the 28-year-old has reached the pinnacle of his sport – becoming an Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth champion, while setting the highest of standards and providing vital support to others within the Stirling stable.

Reflecting on a decade at Stirling, Scott – who was awarded an MBE in 2022 and OBE earlier this year – said: “I wouldn’t change it at all – I’ve loved my 10 years here. It has gone so quickly, but at the same time, I’ve got so many amazing memories, which I’m really fortunate for.

“The biggest thing is that I’ve seen so many good athletes come and go – it’s been amazing to have so many different training partners, to have that mix as well – but also to see the University develop and change. The athletes and the staff here have made me the person I am today.”

He added: “When I first started here, it was very much athletes who were looking for a second wind in their careers; looking for a slightly different way of doing things – but today, we are getting athletes at their very best.

“It speaks volumes for what the University is doing – we had a record number of athletes on the Worlds team earlier this year, and a record number at the Olympics last year. It’s really exciting and it’s special to be part of it.”

Duncan Scott has spent 10 years based at Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence.

In August, 10 swimmers from the high-performance swim programme – led by Head Coach Ben Higson and High-Performance Coach Bradley Hay – were selected to travel to Singapore for the World Aquatics Championships. Scott and McMillan returned with a gold medal each after leading Great Britain to glory as they retained the Men’s 4x200m Freestyle Relay title, alongside Matthew Richards and James Guy.

After a strong start from Richards and Guy, McMillan posted a personal best of 1:45.65 in the third leg, before Scott stormed home with 1:43.82, ahead of China and Australia.  

Looking back on the race, Scott, who now has five World golds to his name, said: “I was delighted with the way I swam. There was a lot of pressure and some of the other nations had done quite a bit of talking – so, for us to go again and get the win was a big statement and one of which we should be really proud.”

McMillan, 25, from Belfast, who won gold for swimming the heats in the same event at the Olympics last year, said: “It was about keeping a level head going into it, posting a really good time in the heats and progressing into the final to defend our title.

“It was a bit nerve-wracking but we’re all professionals who’ve done this multiple times – and we put in a great performance. For me personally, I put in a really good personal best – nearly a second faster than previously – so I was really chuffed about that.

“That’s what we train for, and you don’t get moments like that all the time – winning it, standing on the podium, hearing the national anthem and then the celebrations with the boys. It was special.

“To be a part of that has been amazing and it has given me more confidence for the future.”

Jack McMillan was delighted to win the gold medal in Singapore.

Scott began at the University in September 2015 under the tutelage of Steve Tigg, then Head Performance Swim Coach, now Aquatics GB Head Coach. Scott’s arrival came just months after he competed at his first ever senior international competition at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where, aged 17, he won silver in the Men’s 4x200m Freestyle Relay.

Today, with two gold and six silver Olympic medals to his name, he is Scotland’s most decorated Olympian and, at Tokyo 2020, he became Britain’s most decorated at a single Games. In his glittering career to date, he has also won three gold, two silver and eight bronze medals at the Commonwealth Games, and five gold, two silver and two bronze at the World Aquatics Championships. 

And with the Commonwealth Games returning to Scotland again next year, Scott is determined to put in more showstopping performances for his home crowd.

“Many athletes don’t have the opportunity to compete at home sporting events – but I’ve done the Commonwealths, the Europeans and all sorts in Glasgow and London. Another home Commonwealth Games is very special – and huge credit to those who have got it to go ahead.

“Last time out, I won the 200m Freestyle and the 200m Individual Medley, so those are two titles I’ll look to retain – and we’ve got some good relay chances in there as well.”

McMillan added: “With the Games in Glasgow, it’s an opportunity for us to perform in front of our home crowd – the atmosphere will be amazing. I’m really looking forward to that and, obviously, that’s our big focus for the season coming up.”

Pride

David Bond, Head of Performance Sport at the University of Stirling, said: “On behalf of everyone at the University of Stirling, I’d like to give a warm welcome home to our swimmers following their success in Singapore last month. For Duncan and Jack to have won gold at the competition is a brilliant achievement and one of which we are all incredibly proud.

“As the swimmers return to training, there’s no doubt that next year’s Commonwealth Games will be at the forefront of their minds – and here at Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence that’s a spectacle that we are all excited for.”

He added: “I’d also like to take the opportunity to congratulate Duncan on an incredible 10 years with us here at the University of Stirling – his talent and dedication to his sport, both in and out of the pool, are unrivalled and we are infinitely proud of all that he continues to achieve on the world stage.”

University of Stirling Sport

At Stirling, athletes have access to world-class facilities, including a 50-metre pool, unrivalled outdoor space, and state-of-the-art strength and conditioning suites. In addition to its coaching and facilities, Stirling’s International Sports Scholarship Programme – one of the largest high-performance programmes in the UK – offers athletes funding support, academic flexibility, equipment and kit. It has supported hundreds of athletes since its inception in 1981 – with many competing on the world stage, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.

Core sports include swimming, golf, tennis, triathlon, football and curling, while individual scholarships cover all Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports.

Read more about sports scholarships at the University of Stirling.