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London 2012: Introducing... Scott Evans

The Denmark-based Dubliner is looking to improve on his first appearance at the Olympics this time around.

Evans playing at the Olympics four years ago. Credit: INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan

Event: Badminton

Who is he? Born in Dublin, 24-year-old Scott Evans has qualified for his second Olympics, having become the first Irish men’s singles player to compete at the Games in Beijing in 2008.

Originally from Dundrum, Evans attended Wesley College but departed Ireland for Denmark at 17 when the chance to play badminton professionally came up. Initially, he struggled to adapt to his new life but seven years on still lives in Copenhagen.

Currently ranked 73rd in the world, Evans is a seven-time Irish champion.

Road to London: Despite being one ranking position outside the automatic qualification places, Evans secured his spot in London last month when the Netherlands turned down the chance to send their player.

What he says about himself (competing four years ago): “Last time, I had a great chance of winning in the first round against a guy who was top 16 in the world and ended up losing in an unbelievably close game. I just hope that it’s going to be different this time around now that I have a bit of experience and know how to deal with things better.”

Medal chances? His chances of progressing to the latter stages will depend on the luck of the draw. As Evans says himself, if he can avoid the top eight players in the first round then he will have a decent shot at bettering his last appearance at the Olympics by winning a game or two. Medals, however, would seem a couple of steps too far.

If you meet him in a bar, ask him… How the Blink 182 gig at the O2 was.

On the Twitter: Check him out @Scott_Evans1. He's good friends with magic man Keith Barry, it seems.

If he was a YouTube video, he’d be… Safri Duo - Played-A-Live/The Bongo Song (for the connection to Denmark and the (Dun)drum influences)

YouTube credit:

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