Reformed Daniel Wallace evokes spirit of 'Braveheart'
Reformed namesake of Scottish independence hero wins gold two months after Florida arrest
Dragged to the ground after trying to evade arrest on a street in Florida, swimmer Dan Wallace was in handcuffs and fearing his dream of reaching the pinnacle of his sport had just ended.
Suspended by the University of Florida swimming team, Wallace's place in Scotland's squad was in jeopardy with the Commonwealth Games approaching.
Redemption, though, has come quickly - in Scotland at least. Barely two months after being detained for urinating on a police car early one morning in Gainesville, the 21-year-old Wallace captured his first international title.
I was kind of living the life of a rock star, but still trying to perform in the pool and you can't do both
"For freedom," Wallace screamed, raising his arms triumphantly after winning the 400 metres individual medley title.
Rather than recalling his own moment of adversity, Wallace was invoking the spirit of Scottish warrior William "Braveheart" Wallace.
Personal battles had to be fought to reach the top of the Glasgow podium.
"I got to the point in my life where I really had to re-evaluate the path I wanted to take and I think I chose the right one," Wallace said. "I was kind of living the life of a rock star, but still trying to perform in the pool and you can't do both."