Scott inspired by Phelps in five-medal

HE announced himself by swimming faster than the man with the most medals of them all. Now Duncan Scott plans to turn his potential into his own Michael Phelps-esque Olympic haul.

The 24-year-old may still be best known at home as the bloke who refused to share a podium with Chinese drug cheat Sun Yang after finishing behind him at the 2019 World Championships.

But he actually made a name for himself back at Rio 2016, when in the 4x200metres freestyle relay he clocked a quicker leg than Phelps, despite Great Britain eventually trailing the USA to claim silver.

Scott cherishes a photograph of Phelps seeking him out after that race for a congratulatory handshake, and the Olympic legend later described the Brit as a top talent.

‘ He’s someone who I’ve looked up to massively so it was a really special moment getting to race against him in one of his last races, and even outsplit him,’ said Scott.

They faced each other again in the 4x100m medley relay in Rio, when Phelps claimed his 23rd and final Olympic gold medal and Scott a second silver. But inspired by his idol, this time in Tokyo the Scotsman is going for gongs in five events. Even winning four medals could see him outshine British Swimming’s poster boy Adam Peaty, who can only claim a maximum of three.

Should Scott pull it off, not only would it be the biggest medal haul ever won by a Team GB athlete at a single Games, he would also become the most decorated British Olympic swimmer of all time, surpassing Henry Taylor, who claimed the last of his five medals 101 years ago.

The national record Scott set in the 200m at British selection trials in April saw him shoot to the top of the world rankings. In the 200m medley, an event he has only recently added to his repertoire, only American Michael Andrew has gone faster than him this year.

Scott has dropped the 100m freestyle from his programme but he will still go in three relays — the 4x100m medley, in which Great Britain are world champions, as well as the 4x100m and 4x200m freestyle.

‘My internal expectations are far greater than any external pressure anyone can put on me,’ he adds.

‘I’m aware of how difficult the programme is and it is going to be very challenging. But I have trained for that. Over the last five years, this is something we have been targeting.’