Duncan Scott reveals Olympic prep camp camaraderie firing Team GB swimmers up for success

Duncan Scott is hoping to come up trumps in Paris - with a little help from nightly card schools in prep camp. The Alloa ace became Britain’s most decorated Olympic Games swimmer ever in Tokyo three years ago when he grabbed a gold and three silvers to add to the two silvers he bagged at Rio 2016.

The eyes of the nation will be on the 27-year-old - alongside his fellow Team GB superstars such as Adam Peaty, Matt Richards and Tom Dean - when the swimming gets underway this weekend in Paris La Defence Arena. Scott is bidding for individual success in the 200m freestyle and 200m medley as well as the relays again as the mens’ 4x200m freestyle team look to defend the gold they won in Japan.

But before that he is loving the build-up at the holding camp in Reims, to the east of Paris, where he insists a team spirit is being forged that will be crucial when they hit the water.

Asked how he uses his experiences of past Games to block out the noise, Scott said: “I’m probably a lot flatter. I guess the build up, I know what to expect, what the pool environment is going to be like or travel days and things like that.

“It’s going to be a busy few days but there’s so many really exciting opportunities in relays and individuals and I’m really looking forward to it. I get so excited coming away and love being part of these groups. It’s so enjoyable, playing cards at night and chilling out, it’s a good facility here.

“Relaxation is a key part of the preparation phase. I really do cherish these moments being part of a holding camp and that togetherness before we go and compete.”

Scott knows some of those closest pals and relay team mates will also become the opposition as he goes for gold in the individual events. Tom Dean will be in a