ROSS Murdoch believes he has learnt a lot about himself since winning gold at Glasgow 2014.
The swimmer is among the first athletes selected to represent Team Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in 2018, but has endured some difficult times since Glasgow three years ago.
Murdoch struggled with illness following what he described as “the biggest high of my life”, and struggled to perform to his best at the 2016 Olympics but has since got back to somewhere near his best with a promising showing at the World Championships this year.
Those experiences, he claims, have helped him become a more rounded athlete ahead of next year’s Games.
“I definitely feel a little bit older and more mature in terms of preparation and a little bit wiser in terms of how to manage myself through rounds of a competition,” he said.
“If I look back to Glasgow, I still don’t really know how all that happened, I just went in and swam! I was only 20 years old, it was my second major meet and I didn’t really know what was going on. I just lapped it up.
“I definitely feel a little bit older and a bit wiser compared to Glasgow and I’m looking forward to using that to my strengths.
“Looking back, it’s those types of experiences that make you learn something about yourself, who you really are and how badly you want it.”
Dan Wallace, who was suspended by British Swimming earlier this year following a drink-driving offence, has also been selected as Scotland look to match a stunning performance in Glasgow that saw them win 53 medals, 19 of which were gold.
Hannah Miley will be looking to win a third successive gold at the Games, while Stephen Milne and Kathleen Wilson are also selected along with the promising 18-year-old Scott McLay.
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