Douglas in good spirits ahead of big tests

Nov 9 2011 by Paul Thomson, East Kilbride News

SWIMMER Douglas Scott is in confident mood ahead of the most important months of his career so far.

The 20-year-old, from Strathaven, believes he has an outside chance of making Team GB’s swimming squad for next year’s Olympics and has taken great strides towards that target in recent weeks.

He was in good form at the FINA World Cup in Berlin at the end of last month as he recorded personal bests in the 50 metre, 100m and 200m breaststroke events to finish 12th, 10th and 12th respectively.

Douglas swam 27.96 seconds in the 50m, 1min 00.38secs in the 100m and 2:11.98 in the 200m to build on his recent good form.

And, after taking a year out from his studies at Stirling University, he feels he is going in the right direction as he bids for a place at London 2012.

He told the News: “Things have been going pretty well for me since I decided to take some time out. The World Cup in Berlin was pretty good and I only just missed out on the finals in my three events, but I’ve been pleased with the progress I’ve made.

“I beat some of the guys that are expected to make the British Olympic team so I can take a lot of confidence from that. I’m considered an outsider for the team, but I’ve still got a chance and I’ll give it my best shot.”

Olympic trials for Team GB swimmers are held in March and Douglas will be working flat out to give himself the best opportunity he can.

The former Strathaven Academy pupil added: “I think I need to dedicate even more time to my swimming so I’ll be buckling down over the next few months and training as hard and as often as I can.

“I’ve got the Dutch Olympic Trials in Eindhoven at the start of December, which we will be using as practice for our own trials in March, so that will be a big test and it’ll be interesting to see how it goes.”

Turn to page 93 to read how Douglas’ sister Corrie is getting on.