Duncan Scott smile 200m Free win World Cup Shanghai Oct 2024

Freestyle World Cup double for Scott in Shanghai

21 Oct 2024

Duncan Scott's first competitive action since a superb Olympic Games saw him complete a freestyle double at the opening leg of the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup in Shanghai over the weekend.

The eight-time Olympic medallist was one of three Brits in action in China, alongside James Guy - one of his teammates in the history-making Men's 4x200m Freestyle Relay triumph in Paris - and former University of Stirling training partner Mark Szaranek.

Scott opened his World Cup account with a stunning effort from the front to win the Men's 400m Freestyle on day one, a result he was "buzzing" with as his first finals swim since a busy nine-day programme at the Games in July and August.

That victory was followed on Sunday by more gold over half the distance, Duncan easing through the gears over the final 100m to move past Australian Edward Sommerville and reach the wall first in the 200m Freestyle finale, well clear of the field.

"I'm really happy with that. It's a really tough three days, we're right at the end and it's a good quality field, so I'm glad to be able to win and also hopefully learn ahead of South Korea and Singapore as well," he said.

"I've done really hard back-to-backs at international long-course and short-course meets. This is very tough. The heats are more challenging than you want and the finals are tough as well."

All in all, Duncan stepped on to the podium after all four of his events in Shanghai, as he claimed silver in the 200m Individual Medley and bronze in the 400m Individual Medley, leaving him fourth in the overall men's World Cup standings.

Elsewhere, James Guy's first competitive racing since Paris - a Games that made him a three-time Olympic champion - brought a pair of fourth-placed finishes over the 400m Freestyle and 200m Butterfly contests, while he was fifth in the 200m Freestyle.

Mark Szaranek packed a busy schedule into the three days, just missing the medals as he touched fourth in the 400m Individual Medley, behind Scott, as well as contesting the 100m and 200m Individual Medleys, 400m Freestyle and 200m Breaststroke.

All three Brits now head to Incheon in South Korea for the second World Cup event of the season. Full results from across the meets are available on the World Aquatics website.