Horton chases Thorpe target, Scotland eyes double gold

Olympic champion Mack Horton put himself in line to emulate the great Ian Thorpe as Australia and Scotland shared the honours in the opening day swimming heats at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games on Thursday.

Horton and rising youngster Ariarne Titmus were both fastest qualifiers for Australia, while Hannah Miley and Ross Murdoch gave Scotland hope of double gold for the opening night of finals in the Southport outdoor pool.

There was also drama on day one with English defending champion Ben Proud disqualified after winning his 50m butterfly heat for a false start.

Horton, who upset Chinese reigning Olympic champion Sun Yang to snatch gold at Rio two years ago, will be favourite to take the gold in the 400m freestyle.

If he does he will join five-time Olympic champion Thorpe, who was the last Australian man to win the event in Manchester in 2002.

"I didn't know that. I feel the pressure is on a lot now," Horton said. "I'll just be trying to go as fast as I can tonight."
"But it's kinda nice to just get first one out the way, shake off the cobwebs and see where I'm at."
"But it's fine. I'm an athlete. I've done something that not many people have done before and I expect that."