Scott shuns Sir Chris Hoy comparisons after Olympic gold

Duncan Scott insisted “I should never be compared to Chris Hoy” after the 27-year-old’s gold medal as part of Great Britain’s 4x200m freestyle relay team put him level with the legendary cyclist as Scotland’s most decorated Olympian.

The thing about Scott is that he takes praise just as well as criticism.

Unless he really feels he has earned it, the Alloa swimmer is not interested. He is one of Scotland’s (and Britain’s) great Olympic achievers who keeps a low profile.

The numbers are there, though. He has seven Olympic medals, two gold and five silver. Only cyclists Sir Jason Kenny and Sir Bradley Wiggins are ahead of him on the British list.

“I’m not even close to the level of athlete that Chris Hoy has been, so I think that takes away from what he’s accomplished,” Scott said.

“My relay teammates have won so many medals that I can’t thank them enough for what they do and how much they’ve accomplished.

“I was put in a phenomenal position tonight, as always. He’s pretty good in terms of numbers, but he has a lot better colors than me.”

It is true that Hoy has six golds out of seven. But it is also true that Scott has never won an individual world or Olympic title.

Five of her seven Olympic medals have come in relay events, which is why she was keen to point out that she is “lucky” to have “phenomenal” teammates who help her achieve success.

“It gives you confidence to get on the block with those guys,” Scott said.

“I’m behind an Olympic champion, a world champion and a world champion. I think: ‘I’m in a very good place.'”

“In the end I can just float.”

James Guy, Tom Dean and Matt Richards ensured Scott was in first place on the final leg, but for the second Olympics in a row, it was he who swam the fastest time of the quartet.

It didn’t look like he was floating, but Scott is always quick to downplay his role.

One gets the feeling that he will only be completely satisfied with his own achievements and accolades until he has more individual glory. Even then, it is difficult to be sure.

Monday’s painful fourth-place finish, missing out on a medal by 0.08 seconds in the 200m freestyle, was a reminder of how brutal elite sport can be.

Scott insists he has put that knock “behind the belt” and can now focus on Friday’s 200m individual medley, where he will face the Games’ most iconic Frenchman, Leon Marchand.

Beating the local favourite in the Arena La Defense cauldron, which erupts with energy every time Marchand pokes his head through the tunnel, would be Scott’s crowning achievement.

With his friend and teammate Dean also in the medal mix, it will be one of the most exciting events of these Paris Games.

Regardless, Scott’s medal haul, versatility in the pool and competitive spirit will leave a legacy and his name will be alongside some of the great Olympians.

Just don’t tell him that.