Commonwealth Games: Scott Lincoln relishing leading role for England as he makes shot put final
SCOTT LINCOLN is relishing his role his team captain at the Commonwealth Games – although he admits it brings added pressure.
The two-time Olympian is looking to upgrade the shot put bronze medal he won four years ago in Birmingham and progressed comfortably through qualifying on Wednesday.
The 33-year-old former bricklayer swapped Northallerton for Melbourne after the Paris Olympics, claiming the move Down Under has revitalised his career.
He enjoyed a career-best eighth-place finish at last year's World Championships, and his best effort of 20.09 metres advanced him to the final in third place, with Australia's Tom Walsh and India's Tajinderpal Singh Toor his main rivals.
"You don't win anything in qualifying. I just needed to get the distance and move on – I did that job with my first throw, which is perfect. An easy day at the office," he said.
"It's a championship final, so you need to be prepared for anything. On paper, I'm ranked second in the Commonwealth, so I'm right in the mix."
Lincoln spent his athletics career at City of York, where he was coached by Paul Wilson. The move to Australia means he is now dedicated to training full-time, rather than combining his sport with shifts on the building site.
He was voted captain of England's athletics team by his peers, and it's a leadership role he says he is loving.
"It's an honour to be captain of this team, and hopefully I can fulfil that role and get that medal," he added.
"It's a new role, but I've enjoyed getting to know the team. It's about being there for some of the new guys and having the right words when something hasn't gone right.
"Once you're at a Games, it's easy to get carried away and try to force yourself up a level. I need to remember that what got me here is what matters – that's what I need to recreate to perform here.
"You don't need to be a superhero, you just need to be yourself."
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