THE historic gold rush enjoyed by Team GB at the Rio Olympics has left Scotland's sporting bodies on its marks and ready to capitalise on interest spilling over from the success of the global event.

Organisers of differing sports across the country say they have already experienced a surge in interest as they wait for 'Olympic fever' to kick in as the medal winning heroes prepare to jet home.

Scotland enjoyed a bounce in interest as part of the Commonwealth Games legacy from Glasgow 2014 and those at grass roots level say lessons learned from that means they are much better equipped to take advantage again now.

Stewart Harris, chief executive of Sports Scotland which is organising a Home Coming events for athletes, claimed significant investment in schools and community programmes was a major factor in Scotland's latest Olympic successes.

And he hopes that could be a springboard for yet more medal joy in the future.

He said: "When Glasgow was awarded the Commonwealth Games we put our head together and decided to create a world class system that would involve supporting schools, clubs, coaches and leaders and create further facilities.

"We now have a lot of that in place.

"If future generations are inspired by the Olympics we can immediately sign post them into something appropriate. If they have the talent and want to develop we believe there are now pathways that allow them to do just that."

Among those quick off the mark has been Scottish Rowing who launched its Project Rio programme back in April to help clubs to prepare to support beginners.

Now, armed with gold medal winning performances by Scottish rowers Katherine Grainger and Heather Stanning, they will hold a Rio Regatta in Strathclyde Park in September further boosting interest being received so far.

Jane Steele, club secretary of Stirling Rowing Club, said: "Everyone that we've spoken to is so inspired by the Olympics.

"They have really caught the bug.

"We are seeing a rise in interest in the same way as we did after the Olympics but this time we are more prepared.

"We have more trained coaches and more stable boats that are perfect for learning to row in."

More than 30 people attended a recent "come and try day" at the club, she added, and they have taken over 20 enquiries about a further beginners session next month.

Scottish swimming is also planning to make the most of Olympic successes with Patrick Miley - father and coach of Hannah Miley who narrowly missed bronze – supporting the first of a series of launches of its National Framework for Swimming in Scotland in Aberdeen next month.

While on two-wheels Gary Coltman, head of performance for Scottish Cycling, said that many of the young people he worked with were "absolutely buzzing" about the successes of Scottish cyclists.

He said being able to see gold medalist Katie Archibald train in Glasgow and Callum Skinner lift gold made aspiring contenders believe that it really could be them one day too.

He added: "One thing that this does is help people to believe that if they work hard, they really can achieve this. If you don't believe that you can reach the top then when things get tough it can be much easier to give up."

As part of that encouragement Cycling Scotland, along with Glasgow Life, is to hold a series of six free taster sessions at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow and will work to create an accreditation plan for young people keen to take it further.

But Coltman admitted that barriers were still in place with cost, particularly for families in the deprived areas around the velodrome, often prohibitive.

Other barriers already identified by the Scottish Government include poor body image and self-esteem, a lack of opportunities and facilities and the attitude of friends and family. Some still question what legacy values truly exists from such cornerstone events.

John Taylor, lecturer in sports policy at the University of Stirling said: "There are a lot of claims made that national sporting events can inspire the country to become more active - but the evidence actually shows that there is no step change in terms of participation.

"There is a bounce effect and the number of people participating in certain sports can take a significant boost.

"But we often find that the people taking these up were active anyway. It perhaps doesn't help get those who are not active - around a third of the population - into sport."

"However studies have also shown the support at a grassroots level can make a difference," he added.