Duncan Scott, the silver medallist from Tokyo, was poised for a triumph in the 100m freestyle at the World Championships in Paris. However, fate had other plans, leaving him with a bitter fourth-place finish.
The "wee boy from Alloa" started his race confidently, maintaining a steady fifth position after 50m and 100m. As the swimmers turned for the final length, it was clear he needed a strong push to make the podium. Scott delivered a valiant effort, but it wasn't enough. He missed out on a medal by a razor-thin margin, finishing just 0.15 seconds behind the gold, 0.13 seconds behind silver, and 0.08 seconds behind bronze.
Scott's belief that he needed to swim faster than ever before to secure a medal, even in what was considered "a slow pool," proved to be mistaken. David Popovici, the eventual champion, achieved a winning time comfortably within Scott's capabilities, considering his previous best time was just 0.61 seconds slower than his performance in Paris.
Adding to the sting of the near-miss was the fact that his British rival Matt Richards claimed the silver medal. Scott's performance was undoubtedly a disappointment, but his sheer determination and competitive spirit were evident throughout the race. This heartbreak will undoubtedly fuel his desire for future success.