SCOTLAND will almost certainly never host the Olympic Games. And based on historical evidence it may be several decades before the Commonwealth Games return to these shores, too. This week’s Olympic trials at the Tollcross swimming pool, then, may well be as close as it gets to recreating the special memories made at the same venue two years ago during Glasgow’s hosting of the latter games.

There will be no international medals handed out over the next six days but there will still be plenty at stake. These British Championships will be the sole opportunity to qualify for Rio in August, the decision to take a maximum of 30 swimmers in the squad making competition even tougher. Ross Murdoch, the Scottish breaststroker, once remarked that he thought it would be tougher to make Team GB than it would to qualify for the Olympic final. That says a lot about how high the bar has been raised in British swimming – in men’s breaststroke in particular – and how well each athlete will need to perform if they are to book their seat on the plane.

Repeating the special atmosphere of the Commonwealth Games will be a difficult task but, with tickets selling well and many of the same names taking part, then Tollcross will surely try its best. Murdoch, he of the famous look of astonishment after he pipped compatriot Michael Jamieson to a famous gold medal on day one in the pool two years ago, will be back. As will Jamieson, Dan Wallace, Hannah Miley, Robbie Renwick and a host of other Scots including young hopefuls Duncan Scott, Stephen Milne and Camilla Hattersley. They will be joined by the cream of British talent – including James Guy, Adam Peaty, Jazz Carlin and Ben Proud – for what should prove to be six days of competitive racing right up until the men’s 200m freestyle final on Sunday night.

The hope is that a partisan home crowd can help encourage and cajole Scots swimmers to success just as they did two years ago. Scottish Swimming insist they have no particular targets in mind but there is a quiet confidence that several under their watch will shine once more under the Tollcross lights.

“We’re going into these championships with a degree of optimism,” said national coach Alan Lynn. “Everyone’s form, fitness and health is good going into this week so we feel we’re getting them all to the start line in the best shape that we can.

“We’ve not set specific targets for this week but of course we want as many Scots as possible to make the team for Rio. Last year we had six Scots swimmers go to the world championships [in Kazan] which was great, while the most we’ve ever had on an Olympic team is 10 at Beijing [in 2008), albeit we had a bigger squad back then. Those facts give you the sort of ballpark figures we would hope to reach again.”

Glaswegians rarely need much encouragement to shout and bawl in public as the atmosphere during the Commonwealth Games can testify. Something similar at Tollcross this week would be welcomed.

“I would hope there is now a wider interest in swimming in this country after the success we had two years ago,” added Lynn. “The indications are that Tollcross will be fairly packed over all six days which is great to hear.”

David Carry will be among their number. The three-time Olympian, who retired after the London Games four years ago, will be at Tollcross to support his wife Keri-Anne Payne but also to see if the next generation of Scots swimmers can follow in his footsteps. He fancies Murdoch as “a serious contender come Rio” but felt there were several others who could also make a significant impact.

“The Olympic trials are the single most nerve-wracking and exciting experience I can possibly remember,” he said. “I was fortunate enough to go to four of them so I know what these guys are facing but also the huge pressure they will be under as well. In some ways I wish I was still stepping up in the next couple of days, putting everything on the line just to get that shot to get to an Olympic games. That feeling when you touch the wall and know instantly that you are going is pretty awesome.

“The criteria to make the team is tough but that’s because if you make the team you are going there to win medals. It’s not just about getting the tracksuit. You’re going to represent Great Britain and hopefully end up standing on the podium. Hopefully several Scots will get that chance.”