Officials at Kilbarchan Amateur Athletic Club have told of their pride as three of its members prepare to fly the flag for Renfrewshire at the Olympics.

Callum Hawkins, Jemma Reekie and Steph Twell are all part of Team GB that will compete at the delayed 2020 Games in Tokyo, which start on Friday and continue until August 8.

Jemma will be going for gold in the women’s 800m, with Callum and Steph targeting glory in the men’s and women’s marathon.

Kilbarchan AAC finance convener John Rodger, who is also on the board of Scottish Athletics, said everyone at the club will be cheering on the trio as they aim to make it big in Japan.

He told The Gazette: “We are really proud that three of the team are from our club.

“This is the very pinnacle of our sport, on the global stage, yet Kilbarchan AAC will be well represented through Callum and Steph in the marathon and Jemma in the women’s 800m.

“Robert Hawkins is also going to be with the British team in a staff role, leading the support for the marathon athletes, which of course includes Callum and Steph.

“It’s a real boost to us as a club to have that level of involvement in a global sporting event.”

Callum has been around the club for 20 years and joined older brother Derek as both competed at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

John added: “Callum raced in Rio and pulled off a superb top 10 finish. Now he is back at his second Olympics – a very significant achievement in Scottish athletics.

“If you look back at results records, we can find him racing at under-13 level for Kilbarchan as long ago as 2004.

“It is a similar story with Jemma, who arrived at the age of eight or nine via cross country running at her primary school. She is always pleased to represent the club and there’s no doubt she is a fantastic role model for young athletes, male or female, and indeed seniors.”

“In the past couple of years, despite Covid-19 restrictions on events, she has put together a series of very impressive performances.”

John also told how Steph’s connection with Kilbarchan AAC is different.

“She’s been an English-based athlete throughout her career but her mother is from Paisley,” he said. “Steph has been pleased to wear the Kilbarchan AAC vest.

“We wish all three Kilbarchan AAC athletes, and all the Scots in the GB team, all the very best for the Olympics and say good luck to their coaches.”