OLYMPIC gold medallist Kieran Bird returned to his grassroots swimming club as a special guest at their end of season award celebrations.

This summer, Bicester swimmer Bird played an important role as Team GB collected their sole Olympic gold in the pool at this year’s Paris Games.

James Guy, Tom Dean, Matt Richards and Duncan Scott retained their men’s 4x200m freestyle relay title after Bird deputised ably for Scott in the heats, as Team GB qualified fastest, nearly half a second quicker than the USA.

READ AGAIN: Bicester swimmer helps Team GB to relay gold

Bird inspired the next generation of swimmers at Bicester Blue Fins Swimming Club when he answered questions and gave useful hints and tips at Blue Fins’ end of season awards.

Held at Launton Sports and Social Club, Bird took part in a Q&A session, answering questions on what advice he would give to his younger self, and what it was like collecting gold in Paris.

A total of 25 awards were handed out during the event, with one of the top accolades going to 15-year-old Josh Scrivener, who claimed ‘Swimmer of the Year’ after a standout season that saw him compete at the Aquatics GB Summer Championships, becoming the first Blue Fins swimmer to do so in eight years.

Josh Scrivener with Olympic gold medallist Kieran BirdJosh Scrivener with Olympic gold medallist Kieran Bird (Image: Bicester Blue Fins Swimming Club) This year’s ‘Head Coaches Award’ was jointly presented to 12-year-old Kelly Ng and Eleanor Iles, 16, both of whom were recognised for setting an outstanding example for their peers.

Blue Fins head coach Neil Blunstone said: “Kieran sharing his story was exceptionally inspiring for our members.

“A boy from Bicester who went to the same primary and secondary school as some of them and who trained and competed at Bicester Blue Fins walking the same corridors. The event was the perfect way to lead us into 2025 and our 75th anniversary.”