Double Paris 2024 Olympic medallist Jack Carlin returned to his old high school in Paisley.

Jack Carlin, who left Gleniffer High School nine years ago, was there to launch Scottish Cycling’s Sprint Start programme.

The initiative aims to uncover the next generation of track sprint stars.

He met pupils from across the school, posed for pictures with his medals, and gave an inspirational assembly.

At the fitness suite, children were put through their paces by Scottish Cycling’s coaching team (Image: Jeff Holmes) He then headed to the fitness suite, where children from different year groups were put through their paces by Scottish Cycling’s coaching team.

Those showing the most potential will be invited to the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome for a trial on November 23.

Jack, who recovered from a broken ankle to win silver in the Team Sprint and bronze in the Individual Sprint at the Paris Olympics, is also nominated for Male Rider of the Year at the Scottish Cycling Awards on November 16.

He said: "It’s been a rollercoaster of a year.

He met pupils from across the school, posed for pictures with his medals, and gave an inspirational assembly (Image: Jeff Holmes) "To be nominated for Male Rider of the Year is a privilege – I’m up against some strong riders in Fin (Graham) and Oscar (Onley) who have both had exceptional years in their own rights, and there’s people who haven’t even been nominated, such as Charlie (Aldridge) who have had an amazing year – it just shows the level Scottish Cycling is at."

Jack revealed it felt "weird" walking through the front doors of his school again.

He said: "I left nine or ten years ago, but there are still familiar faces.

"But we’ve come here today to give opportunities for people like myself, who came through Gleniffer High, to build a cycling career.

"To have the reception I’ve had coming back is really special."

Lisa Chalmers, head teacher at Gleniffer High School, said: “One of our main school values is ambition, and for us that’s young people striving to achieve their dreams, really working hard for what they want to do, and knowing they’ll have the support of the school, and their families, to go ahead and achieve.

“I know for Jack, he had such a strong support network from the school, and from home, which really made a difference, so we’re hoping we can emulate that for the next generation.”