The Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast was the focus for April. Duncan left Scotland in the middle of March for a couple of weeks in a holding camp in Brisbane.
After a delay due to illness Duncan joined the team in the commonwealth games village.
The Games opened on the 4th. Swimmers don’t go to the opening ceremony as they compete the following day. Duncan’s first race was on the 6th.
6/4/18 He swam the 200 Free in the heats, fastest with a time of 1.46.62 and took the bronze in the final that night, with a time of 1.46.30. Though he seemed disappointed with his placing all that was left behind when he got back in the pool for the 4 x 100 relay. He swam the first leg in 48.54 and the team took bronze, beating the Scottish record they had broken in the heats. You can’t get better than that.
7/4/18 Heats of the 100 Free 48.99 and safely through to the semis. He also had a 200Fly. A bit of a surprise for his family as they hadn’t seen him compete this for a while. A stunning race, he makes the final with a time of 1.57.67.
Finals arrived and Duncan took bronze with a PB of 1.56.60 next to Chad le Clos, one of the few swimmers to have beaten Michael Phelps. His time of 48.72 in the 100 Free semis was also well executed. Another final for the 8th.
8/4/18 a morning off with no competition. The final of the 100 Free was the event of the night. Duncan turned down the field but fought home and beat off Olympic champion from Rio Kyle Chalmers and South African Chad le clos. It was the first 100 Free gold ever for Scotland. It also meant Duncan had broken the record for Games medals won by a swimmer. Minutes later the 4 x 200 team were up. On paper they had a chance at silver, their neighbours started so fast that the silver was definitely for them with the Scots coming home with a new Scottish record 7.09.89 and the bronze. He swam the fastest leg of all the finalists in the 4 x 200. Duncan then broke Gregor Tait’s record of 4 medals by one athlete at a single games. Duncan now had 5 all won at Gold Coast and the silver from Glasgow 2014.
9th was a day off
10/4/18 He had the 200IM heats. He swam a time of 2.00.44. in the final he turned 4th and then swam to take silver in 1.57.86. He donned his kilt for the medal ceremony, much to the delight of the spectators. All the boys came out for the 4 x 100 medley, the last race of the night, with their kilts on. It looked great and they swam a tight race with South Africa just getting the bronze – next time next time.
As the most decorated athlete at the games Duncan was voted to carry the flag at the closing ceremony. Sadly missed by all as this wasn’t televised.
A great games for Duncan. He has confirmation of selection of his place in Team GB for the European Games in Glasgow
A big thank you to those who donated to the Just Giving page and helped fund the cost of tickets for Duncan’s parents and sister.
An enormous thank you to Scottish Swimming who block purchased tickets ensuring the friends and family of athletes were sitting together – supporting together.
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April 7th
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- South Africa
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Videos
- BBC 100 Free final
- (Medal ceremony 27.40 and 4 x 200 final 2.21.00)
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