QUADRUPLE Olympic medallist Jack Carlin has announced his immediate retirement from cycling.
The Velodrome speedster is still only 28 but doesn’t feel he could have given “100 per cent” to the next cycle.
Jack Carlin has announced his retirement from cyclingCredit: BBC Sport
Carlin won four Olympic medalsCredit: PA
Carlin won silver in the team sprint and bronze in the sprint at both the and .
But he won’t be in the hunt to add to his medal haul in Los Angeles three years down the line.
Carlin said: “It’s a decision that wasn’t taken lightly, but also it is a relief.”
The Scotsman has not competed since injuring his hip in last summer’s Olympic kierin final.
He went travelling with his girlfriend afterwards and admitted to feeling a “creeping realisation” that his race had been run.
Carlin added: “I took a bit of time away to try and find that fire and urge to go again for another four years… and the motivation never came back.
“Looking back at my career, you can win or lose things by thousandths of a second, and if I wasn’t going to give that 100 per cent, which I don’t feel I have to give, I don’t think it’s worth doing.
“I think I’d be doing myself a disservice, the people around me a disservice, and also the jersey a disservice.
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“I am content and truly happy with my career. If I was to look back and say to 18-year-old Jack, ‘Listen, you’re going to walk away in 10 years’ time with four Olympic medals around your neck…’ I think I would have bit your hand off for that.
“I can come away from this saying ‘I gave everything I could, I gave my whole body to this sport, and I’m satisfied’. I couldn’t do anything more.”
The Paisley-born cyclist is so sure of his decision, he has no interest in competing at a home Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next year.
And he is already weighing up his next move.
Carlin concluded: “Sport’s taught me a lot of life skills and given me a lot of experiences.
“I’ve probably done more in 10 years than some people do in 40 in the normal business world.
“I feel like I’ve got strengths I could add to a company so we’ll wait and see.
“It’s all about who the next Jack is after Jack the cyclist, which is actually really exciting.”
Carlin competed for Scotland at the 2022 Commonwealth GamesCredit: Getty
And he banked plenty of silverware with Team GBCredit: PA 
