As he watched the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics from the comfort of his London flat at the end of July, he silently envied his compatriots who were sailing down the Seine river and getting ready for the five rings.
Photo: ČTK / DPA / Michael Kappeler
Samuel Reardon is happy together with his compatriots from the third place in the mixed 4 x 400 m relay at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
At that time, he had no idea that his Olympic dream, which he dreamed of as a budding athlete, would soon come true.
Sam Reardon is a talented British athlete, in the 400 m run he is among the best in the Islands.
During the Olympic cycle, he conscientiously prepared for the peak of his career so far, but his efforts were thwarted by injury.
Hamstring problems meant he didn’t progress to the final of the 400m at the British Olympic qualifiers and went home disappointed.
It didn’t matter to him that he improved his personal best by 1.29 seconds at the next meeting of the Diamond League, because the nomination for the Olympic Games was already closed.
Unfortunately for him, an injury to one of his compatriots played into his cards. Charlie Carvell was injured just before the start of the athletics competitions in Paris and ended up in the care of doctors.
Reardon was initially surprised by the phone call from the athletic bosses, but hastily packed up and left for France.
The coach appreciated his prompt reaction and included him in two relays, which he helped to win bronze medals.
He first enjoyed third place as a member of the mixed 4 × 400 m relay, then added bronze in the men’s relay of the same format.
Photo: Profimedia
reardon Samuel Reardon at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
“I still can’t believe it. I’ve had some crazy days. First, an improved person, then a quick call to the Olympics and finally medal participation in the relays,” he smiled after yesterday’s closing ceremony, during which he walked around the Stade de France with two precious metals around his neck.
“I will forever be a double Olympic medalist. I could end my career here and now and I would be happy and satisfied,” added the 20-year-old.
When, as an 8-year-old boy, he watched the home Olympics in London, he set himself the goal that he too would one day represent Great Britain under the five rings.
His mother, Marilyn, was very supportive of him.
“She went to all my races. I could always hear her because she sat in the first row and was one of the loudest in the audience,” he described.
However, five years ago, the young athlete lost his biggest fan. It was when Marilyn Reardon lost her battle with an insidious disease.
“She told me that my participation in the Olympics is not only my dream, but also hers. Her support meant a lot to me. She was my best friend, my biggest motivation and inspiration,” Reardon recalled emotionally.
When he stood on the podium twice in Paris, he had a photo in his pocket of him as a little boy with his mother.
“I felt that he was standing there with me. I know she would be extremely proud of me. I sent her medals to heaven,” he added.
The young athlete, who originally wasn’t even supposed to be in Paris, finally entered the island’s athletics record book as the fifth Briton to win two athletics medals at one Olympics.
Previously, only four Mo Farah, Kelly Holmes, Christine Ohuruogu, Kelly Sotherton managed to do it.
Source: sportweb.pravda.sk
