Scottish Cyclist Jack Carlin's Olympic Dreams Dashed by Crash in Keirin Final

In a dramatic turn of events at the Paris Olympics, Scottish track cyclist Jack Carlin faced an unfortunate end to his pursuit of a third medal after a crash in the keirin final. The 27-year-old from Paisley, who had previously secured silver and bronze medals in the team and individual sprint events, found himself at the back of the race when disaster struck. During the final, two riders collided ahead of Carlin, leaving him vulnerable as he was unable to avoid the ensuing chaos. As the arena fell into a hushed silence, medical personnel rushed to his side to provide treatment. Thankfully, Carlin was able to walk off the track without the aid of a stretcher, although he did express feelings of disappointment. "I'm alright," Carlin commented in an interview with BBC Sport. "I'm just a bit sore, but that is part and parcel of racing." He candidly acknowledged his misstep in the race, stating, "I mucked it up a little bit, I was on the backfoot and then two riders collided in front of me and your day is done after that. It is what it is." Despite the crash marking a frustrating conclusion to his Olympic campaign, Carlin’s earlier achievements in Paris have positioned him as one of Scotland's most decorated athletes. With four Olympic medals to his name, he stands alongside Sir Chris Hoy and Duncan Scott, both of whom have also reached this milestone. Carlin's haul in Tokyo, which matches his current tally, has solidified his status in Scottish sporting history. Reflecting on his performance, Carlin conveyed a sense of disappointment, particularly as he felt confident heading into the keirin final. "I've done well, but I was hoping for more today," he admitted. "This is the one I felt really confident [about], and I was doing really well, I just got it wrong and I paid the consequence for that." As the dust settles on the Paris Games, Carlin's resilience and sportsmanship shine through. While the crash may have ended his immediate hopes for glory, his previous victories serve as a testament to his talent and determination—qualities that will undoubtedly fuel his future endeavors in cycling.