Scott’s silver also took him clear of Sir Chris Hoy as Scotland’s most decorated Olympian. He is now tied with Bradley Wiggins, with only Jason Kenny ahead on the British list, in terms of the overall medley tally.

Afterwards he paid tribute to Marchand, who denied him what would have been a long-awaited first individual gold to go with the 4x200m freestyle relay golds won in Tokyo and earlier this week in Paris.

“He showed his class there, that is very quick,” said Scott. “What he just went after what has been a busy schedule for the guy – it was special to race him.

“It is a great way to finish it [his individual events] off.”

Proud’s Olympic past had been one of near misses.

The man born in England, but who grew up in Malaysia before returning to the UK and then leaving to train in Turkey, was fourth at the Rio Olympics and fifth in Tokyo.

Proud considered his future in the sport after those Tokyo Games, but then won the world title in 2022 – a reward for, like Scott, one of Britain’s most respected and admired swimmers.

As ever, the margins were fine in the race known as ‘the Splash and Dash’ with McEvoy, himself at a fourth Games, holding on strongest to become the first Australian to win the title.

“Being second behind Cam seems like the most fitting thing,” said Proud. “The cherry on top is sharing the podium with Florent as we share the same coach.

“I might look back and see things I could have changed but in reality, that was probably the best swim I’ve done in a championship final.”

The silvers take Team GB to five swimming medals in Paris – one gold and four silvers – but they will have strong hopes of further success in the men’s and mixed 4x100m medley relays over the final two days of competition.