Youth Olympics: Butt glad to get hands on relay medal

ABERDEEN swimmer Suleman Butt turned agony into ecstasy as he claimed bronze on the first night of action in the pool at the European Youth Olympic Festival.

Butt had to settle for fourth in his first race, the 200m freestyle, with the 15-year-old touching home in a time of 1:53.06minutes in Utrecht. That frustration of just missing out on a medal was soon put to rest, however, as the Aberdeen swimmer anchored the British boy’s 4x100m freestyle relay team to third.

The quartet of Martin Walton, Lewis Clough, Duncan Scott and Butt were edged out of silver by Germany while Russia claimed gold. But with plenty of events left on the schedule for Butt, he admitted he was delighted to get his medal count up and running. “It was very disappointing to finish fourth in the 200m but I swam close to my personal best,” he said. “ I’m pleased in the relay we got a medal.

“That gives me a confidence boost and I want to build on this.”

l The British Olympic Association prepares and leads British athletes at the summer, winter and youth Olympic Games. It works in partnership with sport National Governing Bodies to enhance Olympic success and is responsible for championing the Olympic values. www.teamgb.com