Scores of people greeted Olympian Peter Kennaugh when he arrived back in the island this afternoon.
Kennaugh and three Team GB colleagues won the medal in the men’s team pursuit last night in London.
The 23-year-old from Onchan played a great role in Great Britain’s victory over Australia in the London Velodrome.
People from all over the island went to Ronaldsway Airport this afternoon to see him return.
He chatted with people at the airport and showed them his gold medal as they congratulated him on his historic achievement.
Pubs and homes across the island were packed last night with excited spectators watching television coverage of Kennaugh, Ed Clancy, Steven Burke and Geraint Thomas clinching the gold medal in front of a fanatical home crowd.
Kennaugh is now an Olympic and world champion.
The President of Tynwald, Clare Christian, said: ‘What a fantastic achievement. Peter Kennaugh triggered an explosion of pride and delight in the island tonight with an outstanding performance to bring home the gold medal with his team colleagues, while at the same time beating their own world record created only yesterday.
‘Our congratulations go to him on adding this fiercly sought-after pinnacle of achievement to his already impressive list of sporting successes.’
Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK said: ‘On behalf of the Manx nation, I would like to say how thrilled we are by Peter’s outstanding success this evening.‘It is a truly remarkable achievement for a small country such as the Isle of Man to produce an Olympic champion.’
Kennaugh began his racing career at the age of six, taking part in BMX events in the Isle of Man and made his name on the track scene when he won a junior world title in 2006.
He was part of the world record-breaking quartet in the team pursuit final at the 2012 Track Cycling World Championships in Melbourne.
Mr Bell added: ‘Peter’s gold medal-winning performance will help to raise further awareness of our island across the globe and act as an inspiration to future generations of sportsmen and women.
‘As a nation, the Isle of Man works hard to create an environment that nurtures talent and allows our young people to flourish, and it is extremely satisfying to see them succeed at the very highest level.
‘Peter has proved once again today what our young sporting stars can achieve if they have the ability, determination and support, and I hope others will follow his shining example.’
Mrs Christian has already sent a message of support to Mark Cavendish - who is now a pundit on the BBC’s Olympics coverage - on his performance in the Olympic road race earlier in the Games.
She said: ‘The outstanding sporting endeavours of these two Manxmen are promoting the Isle of Man to an international audience and inspiring a new generation of cyclists to great heights. I wish these world-class sportsmen every success for the future.’
The last time a Manxman won a gold medal was in 1912. Sulby-born Sidney Swann was part of the victorious British men’s eights rowing team.