SCOTTISH European Championship hopefuls Katie Archibald and Duncan Scott were last night shortlisted for the first ever athlete of the year prize at the National Lottery awards, writes Stewart Fisher. Scott, the 21-year-old World Championship gold and silver medalist from Alloa who returned from the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games with a record haul of six medals from a single games, and Archibald, the world and Olympic champion track cyclist, are among a seven-strong collection of names for this inaugural award, which will be voted on by the public.

“It is a real honour to be nominated for ‘Athlete of the Year’ at this year’s National Lottery Awards,” said Scott. “Without the support of National Lottery funding, I would never have achieved this much in the pool so it is amazing to be in the running for such an iconic award. All the finalists would be worthy winners but it would be fantastic for myself and everyone in swimming so I hope the public support me.”

Chris Spice, British swimming’s national performance director, said: “Duncan has already achieved so much over the last 12 months and is about to embark on his biggest challenge of the year, Glasgow 2018.” The other nominees are: Alex Danson (Hockey) Emma Wiggs (Para Canoe) Lizzy Yarnold (Skeleton) Mahama Cho (Taekwondo), Menna Fitzpatrick and Jennifer Keho (Para Skiing).