FOR some of the UK’s leading swimmers, Rio 2016 was unforgettable. For others it was an experience best forgotten.
Yet as each Olympic Games passes, another looms over the horizon.
“What we asked of all our guys afterwards was that they went away and took a long break,” reveals Ben Higson, who oversees the elite group at the University of Stirling. A few, notably Robbie Renwick, retired. The remainder are moving on towards Tokyo with the first significant pit-stop coming at the British Championships, which begin in Sheffield today.
With the event serving as the trials for this summer’s world championships in Budapest but also as a primary selection event for Scotland’s Commonwealth Games, there is no shortage of incentives. For those like Ross Murdoch who returned from Brazil empty-handed, there is an opportunity to start afresh and pursue new targets.
The European champion will be one of the first in action in the 100 metres breaststroke where Adam Peaty, the golden boy of Rio, awaits. The Scot, demoralised following his exit in the Olympic semi-finals, has had time to reflect and refocus. “People forget it was Ross’ first Olympics and he was only 22 at the time,” Higson declares. “We know he’s had a lot of success about the past few years. One bad swim doesn’t define you if you don’t let it. We came up with a plan. He’s come back and he’s stuck to it and done everything that’s asked of him. But he’s also come to the table with new ideas and we’ve taken them on board.”
From such a painful lesson can come progress, he adds. There is plenty at which to aim. From the worlds to the Commonwealths and then a European Championships next year in Glasgow. “Those are all massive competitions for these athletes. Yes, they are stepping stones towards Tokyo. But you need to swim well at them because they give you confidence. Plus it’s good for us to set them goals along the way and for them to set themselves goals. You want to win competitions and achieve personal success.”
Like Murdoch, Hannah Miley has re-appraised in the wake of disappointment but will take the plunge re-energised this morning in the 400m individual medley. Yet even those with shiny souvenirs from Rio have opted to explore unchartered terrain.
Duncan Scott, with a pair of silvers stashed away, will take on five separate events at Ponds Forge with the 19-year-old from Alloa complementing his familiar 100 and 200m freestyle schedule with the same double in the butterfly – plus an outing in the 200IM.
It is, Higson confirms, no flight of fancy. “If you look back at his history as a junior, he had a lot of success in the medley. He was European junior champion at 200IM. It’s been slightly on the back burner over the last few years with the focus being on the freestyle but there’s no doubt in my mind that there’s a plan to turn Duncan into a world-class medley swimmer.”
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