The family of bronze medallist cyclist Jack Carlin have said “there was no way he was walking away without a medal”.

His mother Gill said the 24-year-old has always been determined since his childhood in Paisley, Renfrewshire, and “nails” anything he sets his mind to.

She said he has been hooked on cycling since 2010 and praised the voluntary coaches who helped him in his younger days.

Mrs Carlin said she was “ecstatic” as her son claimed the men’s sprint bronze, though said watching was “absolutely nerve-racking”.

She told BBC News: “My heart rate was through the roof but I’m just so, so proud of him.

“I think from the age of 10 he’s always been into his bikes. He started out mountain biking. Every Saturday morning without fail we were in muddy parks with Glasgow Riders, which is a local club.

“From then, I bought him a road bike Christmas 2010 and that summer he was allowed the opportunity to go to Meadowbank Velodrome, which was the open air velodrome in Edinburgh, and he was just hooked.

“We’re very grateful we’ve got the Glasgow velodrome just right on our doorstep – 2012 onwards he really started to focus. So it’s been a long journey but so worthwhile this week, amazing.”

She said his earlier silver medal win in Tokyo in the men’s team sprint was “really good for settling his nerves”.

She added: “He’s always been determined and there was no way he was walking away without a medal today.

“He left home at 18 to go to Manchester to work with British Cycling. When he sets his mind to something he will absolutely nail it and I’m so grateful for that.

“We’ve got the Commonwealth in Birmingham next year and obviously for that he would be racing for Scotland but his intention is absolutely to continue in his cycling journey and go on to Paris (2024 Olympics).

“Obviously, he’s still young, he’s 24 and I think he’s still got a lot of power left in those legs.”

She praised cycling groups the Glasgow Riders and Johnstone Jets for their support, saying: “Jack himself will say he cannot thank those volunteer coaches enough.

“They give up their time every week, during the week, they host races. They do it all so graciously and without complaint, so it’s been amazing.”

Carlin competes in the keirin later this week and his brother Henry said he believes he will be even more confident in that event.

He told BBC News: “I’m very hopeful. I think it’s his stronger one. He’s great at both. He was confident for this but I feel he’ll definitely be more confident in bringing home a medal, hopefully, tomorrow.”

He said his brother had to take a step back from cycling and switch to weightlifting in the back garden during coronavirus as he had limited velodrome access.

He said: “When he came back after that he seemed to find his love for cycling again and he’s just been smashing it ever since.

“He’s had to kind of come into this Olympics a wee bit blind and just do his best and he’s done well.”