CUMNOCK has an Olympic medalist.

That's right. Cumnock rugby star, Mark Bennett helped Team GB secure a sensational silver medal in the rugby sevens in Rio.

Ex-Cumnock Rugby Club star Bennet was just one of two Scots selected for the Team GB squad.

The Brits managed to successfully negotiate their way undefeated all the way to the Olympic final.

The picked up victories over Kenya, Japan and New Zealand in the preliminary round.

They then went on to score a tense sudden death win over Argentina in the quarter final before battling from behind to defeat South Africa in the semi final.

The Brits came unstuck in the final against an impressive Fijian outfit.

But the final defeat didn't dampen the spirits as Bennett and his Team GB chum beamed on the podium in Rio as they were awarded their silver medals.

President of Cumnock Rugby Club, Jim Morrison said: "All the members and players are absolutely delighted for him.

"For the club it's a huge boost because Mark is such a brilliant ambassador for the game.

"He's a genuinely nice guy and he's a really down to earth guy. It's great for out young players to see what they can go on and do.

"Mark has been capped for Scotland, now he's in the Team GB squad at the Olympics picking up a medal. I think's the only things left to do in the game for him is to maybe captain Scotland and to be selected for the British Lions.

"We were having a debate after the final. Does this make Mark Cumnock's greatest ever sportsman? I don't know. You've obviously got people like Eric Caldow who captained Rangers and Scotland and I know the area has some world class bowlers. I might be biased, but I think Mark has to be top of the list.

"He's only 23 as well and he will go on and achieve even more in his career.

"It's been brilliant."

The bar at Cumnock Rugby Club was jam packed on Thursday night as his pals waited anxiously to see how he got on. The Chronicle captured footage of youngsters from the club going berserk when Team GB defeated the South Africans in the semi final.

Bennett started his rugby journey with Cumnock, joining his hometown team when he was just nine years old. He then moved on to join Ayr in 2010.

In 2011 he moved abroad to advance his career, joining French side Clermont Auvergne in 2011. Just a year later he returned to Scotland and signed for the Glasgow Warriors.

The Olympic silver medal tops an incredible twelve months for Bennett. He starred for Scotland at the Rugby World Cup, scoring against Australia in Scotland's quarter final defeat to Australia.

Bennett was also a member of the Team Scotland Rugby 7s team for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Cumnock Rugby Club are now planning a special function for Bennett and his family when he returns from Brazil where he can show off his medal to the next generation of young rugby stars.